Phoenix Adding Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Citywide

Phoenix AZ

12 May, 2021

12:54 PM

Description

PHOENIX, AZ — The city of Phoenix is purchasing 11 electric vehicle charging stations, to be installed at parks and libraries. The chargers, which cost $224,000 to install, were approved by Mayor Kate Gallego and the Phoenix City Council, in an effort to reduce Phoenix's carbon footprint. The project is being funded, in part, by a rebate from Valley energy cooperative, the Salt River Project, Gallego said. "Electric vehicles are a critical part of our clean-energy future," said Mayor Kate Gallego in a statement. "To have cleaner air, and to blunt the effects of climate change, we must move away from gasoline and toward electricity. Yet, many people are still hesitant because of what's called 'range anxiety' – the worry that the EV's charge will run out before they reach their destination. Easing that anxiety means having more charging stations at more locations and thanks to SRP, that is exactly what we're accomplishing." The SRP rebate will cut Phoenix's share of the charging station project cost by more than 50 percent, the city said. The EV charging stations are part of Phoenix's role in the C40 network, which is a group of 40 "megacities" worldwide that have committed to addressing climate change. Newly inaugurated District 7 councilwoman Yassamin Ansari called the EV charging stations a step forward for Phoenix's working families, which have been forced to deal with the effects of rising temperatures over the years. "Ensuring that electric vehicles are affordable for working families and advancing electric infrastructure are powerful ways to combat air pollution in our city, and we will reap the benefits for generations to come," said Councilwoman Ansari in a statement. "It's a multi-fold return on investment. Electrification is set to create thousands of good-paying jobs, improve tourism, and position Phoenix as a global leader on climate action and sustainability." For more information on the electric vehicle charging program and other environmental programs in the city, visit Phoenix's Office of Environmental Programs website.