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Example of Level 2 EV charger installed on a utility pole

Seattle City Light is launching a service that will install public Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) chargers at curbside locations throughout the city of Seattle. City Light is offering this service to provide near-home EV charging for residents who cannot access off-street parking to charge their vehicles.

At this time, we can only accept requests for locations in the Seattle city limits. Requests for chargers in other cities or unincorporated King County are not currently eligible. City Light is accepting requests for the following types of properties:

Read more about our minimum requirements to request a charger near your home: Minimum Requirements for Charging Locations. 

This service will install a public Level 2 EV charging station (see right photo) next to the curb in residential neighborhoods in Seattle. Seattle City Light will install, own, operate and maintain the EV chargers. Because these chargers are public, anyone who drives an EV will be able to park on the street next to the charger and charge their vehicle. The chargers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved.

The Level 2 EV chargers installed under this program will provide up to 9.6 kilowatts (kW). The infrastructure can provide a typical EV with over 30 miles of range per hour of charge time. Level 2 EV chargers are frequently used for multiple hours at a time, such as when a car is parked overnight at home or while the driver is at work.

Seattle City Light will pay for all costs related to the purchase and installation of the chargers. There is no cost to the resident or property owner to request or install a public curbside Level 2 EV charger.

Drivers will need to pay a per kilowatt-hour (kWh) fee to use the chargers. The 2021 fee for Seattle City Light-operated Level 2 EV chargers is $0.20 per kWh (2022 fees will be released at a later date). One kWh provides a typical EV with enough energy to travel over three miles. The fees are designed to pay for the electricity, operations, maintenance and repair costs while offsetting the initial purchase and installation costs. 

Many Seattle residents must use street parking near their homes. Older single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, and houseboats frequently do not have off-street parking like a driveway, garage, or parking lot. It is usually very difficult or not possible for residents to provide their own EV charging when parking on the street.   

The City of Seattle set a goal to reduce transportation emissions 83% from 2008 levels by 2030. Residents can accomplish much of this with low-emission travel by public transit, biking, walking, and other options; however, many will still rely on personal vehicles for some of their trips. Seattle City Light is installing these chargers as part of a more extensive portfolio of transportation electrification investments and services to help the utility's service area transition to zero-emission electric transportation options.

Design rendering of curbside EV charger

City Light will select charger locations through an opt-in process. Residents can request a charger in front of their homes if the location meets the program requirements. City Light will evaluate each request based on predefined criteria and choose the locations that best support the equity and environmental goals of the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan. The utility will solicit input from neighboring property owners for each proposed location. City Light will not install the charging station if more than 50% of the neighboring property owners voice opposition.

Installations could occur in late 2022 and into 2023.

Public EV Charging Team Seattle City Light SCL_ElectricVehicles@seattle.gov (206) 684-3800 Learn More: Seattle City Light - Electric Vehicles

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Address: 700 5th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98104 Mailing Address: PO Box 34023, Seattle, WA, 98124-4023 Phone: (206) 684-3000

Seattle City Light was created by the citizens of Seattle in 1902 to provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible electric power to the City of Seattle and neighboring suburbs.