On Tuesday, the City of San Diego unveiled its first new public electric vehicle (EV) charging location at Paradise Hills Recreation Center. This is the first of more than 50 public locations across the city adding EV chargers for residents and visitors, including most libraries and recreation centers, made possible through a public-private partnership that generates revenue for the City. 

“Meeting the goals of our Climate Action Plan means giving San Diegans in every neighborhood practical options for cleaner transportation," said Mayor Todd Gloria. "By installing public EV chargers at libraries, recreation centers and other City facilities, my administration is building a more equitable charging network that makes the transition to electric vehicles possible for more people, including residents who cannot charge at home. Beginning in Paradise Hills, this citywide expansion is how we turn our climate commitments into meaningful investments that San Diegans can use in their daily lives.”

San Diego is dedicated to leading the charge toward a sustainable future by setting ambitious goals to accelerate the adoption of EVs and expand necessary charging infrastructure by 2030. Installing EV charging stations in City-owned parking lots throughout San Diego addresses charging needs across all communities by creating a more accessible, equitable and reliable EV charging network.

Currently, on-road transportation accounts for 57% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the City of San Diego.

“Making the transition to electric vehicles is a critical component of reaching the City’s Climate Action Plan goals,” said Heather Werner, Deputy Director for Energy for the City’s Department of General Services. “The installation of four Level 2 chargers at Paradise Hills Recreation Center is just the start of what we will see in communities citywide.” 

The Public Electric Vehicle Charging Program is the result of an innovative public-private partnership agreement between the City and EVerged, LLC, an energy infrastructure company that develops, owns, operates and maintains energy-related assets. Under the agreement, EVerged will add hundreds of new EV charging stations at public facilities throughout the City of San Diego. 

“We are proud to partner with the City of San Diego to expand equitable access to EV charging infrastructure across its communities,” shared Chris Fall, Chief Alliance Officer at EVerged. “The opening of the Paradise Hills Recreation Center charging station marks an important milestone in a citywide effort that will help residents, visitors and employees conveniently access charging where they live, work and play. In metro areas like San Diego, not everyone is able to charge their vehicle at home, so public infrastructure is critical for energy equality and promoting sustainable transportation.”

EVerged owns and operates the EV chargers being installed under a revenue-sharing agreement with the City. The agreement also lays out a process for the City to purchase the installed infrastructure with the revenue collected over the 10-year contract, which was awarded in 2024.

The Public EV Charging Program is a core component to achieving the zero-emissions vehicle targets in the City’s Climate Action Plan. By expanding available public EV chargers across all communities of San Diego, residents and visitors can be confident in choosing an electric vehicle for their next purchase, lease or rental. The EV charging stations will be installed at libraries and recreation centers first, followed by City employee parking lots, new City facilities, and other public parking lots at police stations, office buildings and open spaces.