SACRAMENTO, CA - The City of Sacramento is installing 28 level II electric power charging stations in various City public garages using stimulus funding. Installation is expected to start in August and be finished in November, according to a release from the City.

On June 26, the Mayor and City Council approved the City’s participation in Coulomb Technologies ChargePoint America Program. The program is the result of federal stimulus funding intended to accelerate the development and production of electric vehicles to substantially reduce reliance on gasoline and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sacramento was one of nine cities in the U.S. chosen to receive the charging stations, in part because it is a large urban area that is geographically dispersed.

The program is providing the free equipment and the California Energy Commission is covering the installation cost.

Recently nine of the 32 existing charging stations located in City parking facilities were upgraded to the new SAE J1772 standard connectors.  This program will bring the total of new charging points to 37 to be used by owners of electric vehicles while doing their business downtown.

The City completed the installation of four solar-powered EV chargers in December 2011. The City Fleet also purchased four Chrysler plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) Ram 1500 pick-up trucks and two Chevrolet PHEV Volts through grant funding.

Additionally, Keith Leech, fleet manager, said the fleet is pursuing an additional American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant opportunity with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to purchase several Via Motors PHEV pick-ups and vans along with Class 6 Odyne PHEV compressor and bucket trucks during the coming year.

The City also recognized the fleet for being named No. 8 of the 100 Best Fleets in North America.