Pasadena Accelerates Electric Vehicle Charging Network Expansion

Pasadena is ramping up its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, with plans to add dozens of new chargers across the city in the coming years. The expansion includes fast-charging hubs capable of serving medium and heavy-duty vehicles, positioning Pasadena as a leader in sustainable transportation.

Evan Johnson, Electrification Manager at Pasadena Water and Power (PWP), presented the plans to the Municipal Services Committee on Tueday, July 23. The city has already completed several charging station projects, including installations at City Yards, Marengo Garage, and Holly Garage.

“We were able to do about four to five EV station projects a year. We’ve been doing that pretty consistently for about three years now,” Johnson reported to the committee. The latest addition is a large charging depot at Shopper’s Lane, featuring multiple fast-charging stations.

PWP is not slowing down. Upcoming projects include new chargers at Victory Park (2 DCFC and 22 L2) and Robinson Park (4 DCFC and 21 L2), set to open in August and September 2024, respectively. The Robinson Park installation will be particularly significant as the first charging station in the city north of the 210 freeway.

Johnson highlighted a new concept design for the Avon Ramp site, slated to begin in fiscal year 2025. This innovative hub will feature 12 spaces designed for pull-through and medium-duty vehicles, allowing for extra-wide spaces to accommodate larger electric vehicles.

The expansion aligns with California’s Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation, which mandates that starting January 1, 2024, 50% of new fleet vehicle purchases over 8,500 pounds must be zero-emission vehicles. This requirement increases to 100% by 2027, with some exceptions for emergency vehicles.

Pasadena’s aggressive build-out of charging infrastructure is not without challenges. Johnson acknowledged issues with maintenance and operations, including a lack of qualified technicians and a scarcity of spare parts. To address these concerns, PWP is partnering with Pasadena City College to develop a workforce training program for EV technicians, set to open this fall.

Supply chain issues have also impacted charger downtime, highlighting the complexities of managing this new infrastructure. “Some of these charger stations break down and if you don’t have the parts to fix ’em, you can see how it’s really impactful to how the ability to give out electrons to cars,” Johnson explained.

The city is actively pursuing grants to support its electrification efforts. PWP has received conditional approval for a $500,000 grant from the EnergIIZE project for the Avon Ramp site and approval for $193,600 from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. Additionally, PWP has submitted a pending application for a $3.1 million grant from the AQMD Carl Moyer program.