92 EV Chargers Installed At Bay Area Affordable Housing Community

A significant installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers has been completed at Middlefield Junction, a newly built affordable housing complex in North Fair Oaks, California, within the San Francisco Bay Area. The development features 92 chargers across its 179 units, addressing a common shortfall in multi-family housing where EV charging infrastructure is often limited or absent. This initiative supports current EV owners and encourages prospective buyers or lessees by providing convenient and cost-effective home charging options. The charging setup includes 76 Level 1 outlets and 16 Level 2 chargers, with allocation managed by Mercy Housing, the property operator. Residents with higher daily mileage are prioritised for the faster Level 2 chargers, which use the standard J1772 connector. Level 1 outlets require users to bring their own cordsets, a practical solution given that all EVs sold in California come equipped with compatible mobile chargers, ensuring universal compatibility. Cost details for the installation are not precisely available, as the chargers were integrated into the broader new construction budget. However, typical figures from Peninsula Clean Energy’s EV Ready programme suggest average installed costs of about $2,700 for Level 1 and $7,000 for Level 2 chargers. Since this project was part of a new build rather than a retrofit, it is likely that the actual expenses were lower than these averages. Importantly, the electricity powering the chargers is supplied by Peninsula Clean Energy, the local community clean energy provider, ensuring that the EVs are charged using renewable energy sources. This aligns with wider efforts to decarbonise transport and promote sustainable living within affordable housing developments. The project exemplifies how integrating clean infrastructure into residential settings can facilitate the transition to electric mobility while supporting environmental goals.