Charging Up The Future, Now

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and Councilmember Gene Masuda joined City Manager Miguel Márquez and Pasadena Water and Power Acting General Manager David Reyes, on Monday to cut the ribbon on 23 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at Victory Park, at 2575 Paloma Street.

The chargers expand Pasadena’s current public EV charging network with three new Level 3 fast charging units, along with 21 Level 2 chargers to serve EV motorists.

“Pasadena’s City council has adopted a very aggressive policy to get us towards carbon free energy,” said Reyes. “By the year 2030, the Department of Water and Power is extremely committed to helping that transition through the addition of infrastructure in the city.”

Reyes continued, “We have one of the most robust EV infrastructure charging stations and systems in the entire state. This will ease the transition for our residents, making it easily accessible for residents and guests to charge their vehicles in a publicly convenient place.”

Mayor Gordo also pointed to the idea that other cities in the San Gabriel Valley and beyond, should be making an equally committed effort.

“We know that people are anxious to have EV charging stations throughout the city and beyond, and so Pasadena’s proud to do its part,” he said. “But before we get to the point where everyone has an opportunity to use electric charging in the region, other cities are going to have to do the same thing. Pasadena is not an island. Pasadena exists in the county of 88 cities.

“In the San Gabriel Valley alone,” he continued, “there are 31 cities, with 2.1 million people. And so we are far behind the infrastructure that’s needed in order to support that population and make it possible for people to get out of their car at least one trip a week.”

Pasadena residents will use the Flo EV App for charging their vehicles, and will be charged “competitive” rates, said a PWP spokesperson.

As part of new PWP public EV infrastructure projects, Robinson Park is also currently testing its own new chargers,  with an official ribbon cutting ceremony planned for early 2025.

More information about Pasadena’s public charging stations and PWP’s programs and incentives for EVs is available at  PWPweb.com/EV.