Thomas Bruhl, electric distribution manager for the City of St. Charles, (from left) electric car owner Julia Davies of St. Charles and St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina cut a ribbon to officially open an car charging center on the fourth level of the First Street parking garage in St. Charles.

ST. CHARLES – Julia Davies had backed her Tesla Model S into a parking space on the fourth floor of the St. Charles parking garage Monday so she could demonstrate how to use the garage’s newest amenity – an electric car charger.

Davies, of St. Charles, was on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with two representatives from local dealerships who showcased a Chevy Volt and a Nissan Leaf, to celebrate the new charging station going live. She showed a small crowd how she plugged her car in and explained that her Tesla could travel as many as 300 miles on one charge.