sparky said:
As an Urban Planner, I'd be curious about your experience getting cities in the SJ Valley to encourage charging stations either as a means of revenue like parking meters or to help reduce tailpipe pollution along some corridors.
Right now, it's an uphill battle. I think it's a chicken and egg thing. The feedback I've heard so far is that there is no demand in the Valley. I'm hoping articles like this one will get people around here to start the discussion, and in the end, they will see there is a demand, especially if they look beyond the needs of
only the local community. In Stockton, we are sitting in the middle of two major corridors - I-5 and Highway 99. Stockton, and other nearby cities around us, are logical stop-off points for EV drivers traveling the State. There are both environmental and economic benefits.
I've contacted several places (i.e., local universities, regional rail, the City's parking district, etc.) to inform them about Car Charging, Inc.'s free charging stations, and our Economic Development Dept. included a section on the program in their recent newsletter for local businesses.
Also, the City of Stockton has a General Plan policy about EV charging/parking:
Goals and Policies, Page 13-12
NCR-8.9 Alternative Fuels Vehicle Parking
The City shall require prioritized parking within commercial and retail areas for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and alternative fuel vehicles as well as provide electric charging stations.
I know how some policies get forgotten over time, so I sent a reminder to our Planning Dept., and they said that they actually have a new Walgreen's going in S. Stockton at Mariposa & Farmington that will include 2 parking stalls with a charging station for EVs.
However, like a lot of reporters and other people, he misspelled LEAF;it's an acronym.
