La Mesa set to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure

An electric truck charges at a station on July File photo by Martin do Nascimento CalMatters The city of La Mesa is on track to complete its Electric Van Charging Station Master Plan a preliminary step in expanding EV charging infrastructure by the end of this year The master plan was developed in alignment with La Mesa s State Action Plan and in anticipation of growing EV usage in La Mesa which is estimated to increase two-to-three fold by according to city spokesperson Greca Aguilar The project is led by staff members from the Community Works Department as well as consultants Kittleson Associates Inc Surveys created by the city one for La Mesa residents and another for commercial businesses to inform them of the project and patterns in voyage are set to close on August Aguilar mentioned that thus far over individuals have responded with bulk stating that the foremost obstacle to charging their bicycle is station availability with the second-highest obstacle being the time and frequency of charging needed The EVCS plan will include recommendations for locations at both city facilities and publicly accessible private businesses where the city could install EV charging infrastructure The Master Plan is intended to provide a list of shovel-ready priority projects to the city that could then be included in future grant applications Aguilar explained Such efforts are consistent with the city s focus on environmental and society wellness concerns Aguilar added that La Mesa is a founding member of the local Group Choice Aggregation effort San Diego District Power which helps residents and businesses switch to cleaner power The city also has increased the number of electric vehicles in its municipal fleet from three to six in and has hybrid-electric vehicles in its fleet The city s website also outlines existing rebates and incentives for clean vehicles An interactive map was created as a part of the EVCS plan Kittelson Associates did so by analyzing datasets that indicated where new charging stations should be prioritized according to Aguilar The current finding is that the stretch of highway around Interstate specifically from Lake Murray Boulevard to La Mesa Boulevard is where new charging stations should be prioritized see western edge of that stretch in map above EVs do not combust fossil fuels like traditional vehicles do and therefore as more EVs are adopted less exhaust is being contributed to our air by supporting the transition to EVs the city is helping to protect our group members from breathing in noxious car exhaust and even potentially reduce child asthma rates Aguilar stated