San Diego Set to Put Car Chargers on the Map

Charging stations for electric vehicles are coming to Balboa Park, said Charlie Daniels from the City's parks and recreation division during the April 7 meeting of the Balboa Park Committee. Daniels said three charging stations are planned for Balboa Park, but as of yet the exact locations are unknown.

The charging stations are part of the "EV Project," a $230 million federal grant awarded to San Francisco–based renewable energy firm ECOtality. A total of 15,000 stations will be installed in 18 cities throughout the country. The goal of the project is to collect data on electric vehicle use and the effectiveness of public charging stations. According to ECOtality's website, installation will continue through July of this year.

Daniels told committee members that thousands of the car chargers would be installed in San Diego.

During the meeting, committee members asked about the cost to the city and expressed some concern about which agency would enforce the time limits for each station.

"This will be at no cost to the City. It is all part of the federal grant," Daniels responded. He followed up by saying the spaces will likely have a meter that would need to be paid in order for electric vehicle owners to use the stations.

"Maybe the city can generate some revenue from this," said committee chair David Kinney.

As for enforcement, Daniels informed the committee that the police department's parking enforcement unit would most likely be in charge.