Electric Vehicles Charge Up Balboa Park

Ten vehicle charging stations installed in park

Balboa Park has always been a place to recharge minds. As of Thursday, it will be a place to recharge cars as well.

Mayor Jerry Sanders arrived to Balboa Park Thursday afternoon in an electric car to announce the arrival of ten electric vehicle-charging stations in the park’s parking lot.

“Today San Diego is helping the United States take a huge leap forward on low emissions vehicles,” Sanders said at the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center.

“Having a charging network removes the convenience barriers that make people reluctant to purchase and electric car,” Sanders said. “We’re looking at a major shift in thinking about electric vehicles and I’m incredibly proud that San Diego is leading the way.”

Sanders was joined by clean energy leaders from electric vehicle company ECOtality, SDG&E, SANDAG and the Electric Vehicle Association of San Diego.

There are approximately 1,000 electric vehicle-charging stations in San Diego. Sanders said after over a year of deliberation, community leaders decided to install the stations in Balboa Park due to its central location and importance to tourism. The park receives over 14 million visits annually.

The charging stations are intended to charge the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, and older-models of electric cars.
 

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