Officials of Westar Energy cut the ribbon on the station Friday at a parking stall in the heart of the Topeka’s downtown. Topeka-based Westar is the largest electric company in Kansas and plans more charging stations in Lawrence, Emporia and Wichita.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the station resembles a miniature gas pump, with a hose and a plug standard for all commercially available electric vehicles.

Most owners will charge electric vehicles at their home. But the Westar station will let users hook up to the hose for free to give their battery a full charge.