67 New EV Chargers Will Be Installed In San Diego

San Diego is set to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with the installation of 67 new public chargers across various community locations. These sites include libraries, recreation centres, and community centres such as the Azalea Recreation Center, Skyline Hills Library, and Southcrest Recreation Center. This development follows a previous announcement made six months ago about installing between 750 and 800 public EV chargers throughout the city, signalling a continued commitment to enhancing EV accessibility. The new chargers will predominantly be Level 2 units, which typically provide around 30 to 40 miles of range per hour of charging. Such chargers are well suited for locations where users spend extended periods, allowing them to top up their vehicles while engaging in activities like exercising, attending meetings, or visiting libraries. While most EV charging occurs at home, these public chargers offer added convenience and reassurance for drivers, particularly in urban areas where longer trips and spontaneous charging needs arise. Heather Werner, deputy director of the Energy Division at San Diego’s General Services Department, emphasised the significance of this initiative, highlighting that the grant funding will enable the city to advance its clean energy goals without incurring additional costs. The expansion of the charging network aligns with broader trends in California, the largest EV market in the US, where increasing numbers of public chargers are gradually reducing range anxiety and making electric vehicles a more practical option for everyday use. The growth of San Diego’s EV infrastructure is also complemented by recent efforts from private networks such as EvGO, which installed 28 new fast chargers near the coast last month. With over 2,700 chargers currently available in the city, the gap between charging points is shrinking, potentially reaching intervals as short as every 25 miles. This steady development is expected to support the eventual transition from petrol stations to a comprehensive network of EV chargers, facilitating cleaner, more sustainable transportation in the region.