San Luis Obispo has new Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at the downtown Marsh Street parking structure.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday.
It is now the largest charging station location in San Luis Obispo with 17 regular and two handicap accessible charging stations for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles open 24 hours a day.
“We strategically located this first project to be in one of our most visible locations in downtown, so that people can see it, see it being used, Deputy Director of Public Works Tim Bochum said. “And it gets that incentive for people to start thinking about EV as an alternative to just a regular internal combustion engine.”
This project is part of the City Council’s Climate Change Major City Goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The city partnered with PG&E’s EV Charge Network program launched in 2018 to install 7,500 electric vehicle chargers throughout PG&E’s service territory. The grant from PG&E covered the installation of the electrical system needed to provide energy for the new electrical system within the parking structure.
One of the largest worldwide electric vehicle charging networks ChargePoint, Inc. will oversee the management and maintenance of the stations.
ChargePoint connects EV station locations to EV vehicle owners nationwide and will send mobile message updates with the charging condition of the car.
It costs $1.50 to park and charge the car in the structure.
“You’re either parking for a little bit less cost and charging for free or you’re getting a very good rate on your charge and parking for free,” Bochum said.
This project is just one of the many future EV charging stations to be installed throughout San Luis Obispo.
Bochum said phase two of the project is oriented towards placing EV charging stations in the 919 parking structure located on Palm Street downtown.
“Electric cars play a significant role in reducing our carbon footprint to meet the goals of the council and the community,” Bochum said.
