County Unveils Electric Car Charging Stations

The County of Marin is pleased to announce the opening of three new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the middle arch of the Civic Center, Exhibit Hall and Health and Wellness Campus.  

These EV stations are available to employees and the public and are accessible to people with disabilities. This pilot project is part of a nationwide program funded through the Department of Energy to provide a network of charging stations for electric vehicles. 

The county was awarded a grant of three electric vehicle charging stations and a one year service subscription on April 22, 2011 through a program called Charge Point America funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Coulomb Technologies provided the equipment and the County installed the units with a combination of general funds and grant funds from the Transportation Authority of Marin. For the first year of this pilot program, the service is free.

After December 2012, the fee will be $3 for each charging session, up to a four hour maximum. 

“If you build it, they will come,” Supervisor Susan Adams said in a statement. "By providing the infrastructure, we are encouraging the use of electric vehicles so we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels."

"This important step is part of Marin County’s contribution to a region wide effort to become a national leader in EV deployment," Supervisor Steve Kinsey added.  

A ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the charging stations is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Civic Center near the middle arch.