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Will plug-in electric vehicle chargers have staying power?

As electric-car charging stations grow, critics wonder if need will match them

By Katheleen Conti

 |  Globe Staff  

  April 15, 2012

Electric vehicle charging stations purchased with federal stimulus funds and recently installed in Chelmsford, Lowell, and Tyngsborough sit mostly unused at a time when manufacturers of the vehicles are scaling back production, and skepticism about plug-in cars remains strong nationwide, despite aggressive marketing efforts, government incentives, and soaring gasoline prices. But community officials insist the stations are an investment in the future, and will create demand.

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