- San Francisco’s curbside EV charging pilot provides street parking residents with accessible EV charging.
- Vehicles contribute nearly half of San Francisco’s emissions, making expanded EV charging key to the city’s Climate Action Plan.
- San Francisco plans to install 1,500+ public chargers by 2030 to support zero-emission vehicle goals by 2035.
San Francisco is famous for its fog, steep hills, and growing dedication to a cleaner, greener future. You can see this commitment in action with the new pilot program that’s bringing curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging right to the streets.
Mayor London N. Breed is leading the effort of this technical project to ensure that every San Franciscan, especially those living in multi-unit buildings without off-street parking, can enjoy the benefits of owning an EV.
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Mayor Breed Pushes Curbside EV Charging to Improve Public Health and Access
Cars and trucks on the streets create almost half of all emissions in San Francisco. This not only impacts the environment but also affects public health. As Mayor Breed stressed, “We are taking aggressive steps to dramatically expand our electric vehicle charging infrastructure as part of our Climate Action Plan and to meet the needs of San Franciscans who are quickly adopting the use of electric vehicles.”
The Mayor’s words show a bigger picture: you can see EV chargers as key tools for building a healthier and fairer city.
For years, owning an EV seemed like it was only for those who had garages or private parking spots—places where you could easily set up a level 2 EV charger at home. But what about the rest of us? What about the residents of Chinatown, the Mission, or Bayview who park their cars on the street? The curbside EV charging pilot tackles this challenge head-on. It’s designed with you in mind, making sure that having access to an EV charger is a right, not just a luxury, as we move toward an electric future.
San Francisco’s New EV Charging Pilot Tackles Equity and Infrastructure Challenges
Charger access is disproportionately lower in Black and Latino majority neighborhoods and areas with below-median household incomes. The city plans to fix this issue by smartly using curbside space for EV charging stations. As Supervisor Rafael Mandelman stated, “We have a lot of work ahead to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, and easily accessible public curbside EV charging will be an important part of the mix.”
The program also gathers crucial data that will shape the future of EV infrastructure in San Francisco. By monitoring usage, demand, and other key metrics, the City can fine-tune its approach, ensuring that the rollout of these chargers meets the actual needs of residents. It’s a data-driven approach that seeks to blend technical expertise with a deep understanding of the community.
Beyond the pilot, San Francisco’s broader strategy is ambitious. The City plans to install over 1,500 public chargers by 2030, with the ultimate goal of having all new vehicles sold in the city be zero-emission by 2035. The curbside pilot is a critical piece of this puzzle, offering a glimpse into how San Francisco might become a model for other dense urban areas grappling with similar challenges.
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Electrify Expo 2024: Test Drive Top EVs in San Francisco
This focus on electrification fits perfectly with events like the Electrify Expo in San Francisco on August 24-25 at Alameda Point. The expo showcases the latest electric vehicle technology and celebrates the growing EV adoption across the country. It reflects the rising interest in EVs and gives people a chance to see if electric cars are worth the investment.
This year, thirteen of the world’s biggest automakers are joining the event, including Toyota, Ford, Kia, Rivian, Porsche, Tesla, Volvo, Nissan, Lexus, Vinfast, Lucid, BMW, and Hyundai. Attendees will get the chance to test drive the most popular electric models, from cars and SUVs to plug-in hybrids, e-bikes and e-scooters, especially as the city boosts its charging infrastructure.
San Francisco Expands EV Chargers as EV Sales Surge to 37% of New Cars
The rollout of curbside EV chargers is also a response to the rapid pace of EV adoption in the city. Last year alone, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids made up 37% of all new vehicle sales in San Francisco. The demand is clear, and the City is moving quickly to meet it. As Marc Geller, Co-Founder of the Golden Gate EV Association, pointed out, “Curbside charging is one of the tools needed until the day all multifamily housing has access to power for cars.”
For families in San Francisco, especially those with two cars, the benefits of adding an EV to their household are becoming increasingly evident. EVs not only offer significant savings on fuel and maintenance but also provide flexibility in managing the household’s transportation needs.
With curbside charging available, even families relying on street parking can now consider making the switch to electric. The convenience of having one EV can complement a traditional vehicle, allowing families to reduce their carbon footprint while still meeting their daily transportation needs.
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Making EV Charging Accessible for All Residents
But the impact of this initiative goes beyond numbers and data. It’s about the people of San Francisco and their chance to be a part of a cleaner future. It means making sure that every resident, regardless of where they live or how much they earn, can access the best EV charger for their needs. It’s about ensuring the transition to electric vehicles includes everyone, not just those with a driveway.
As Tiya Gordon, Co-Founder and COO of the EV charging startup itselectric, rightly noted, “By focusing on curbside solutions, the City is addressing one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption for urban residents who rely on street parking.” This pilot program is a step toward a more inclusive, healthier future for all San Franciscans.
In the end, this initiative is about much more than just installing chargers. It’s about changing the way we think about our streets, our environment, and our future. It’s about ensuring that as San Francisco continues to lead in the fight against climate change, no one is left behind. And it’s about recognizing that the best EV charger is one that everyone can access, regardless of where they live.
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IMAGES: ITSELECTRIC, ELECTRIFY EXPO
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