EV Chargers Are Here

The electric vehicle charging stations at 411 Commercial St. began their journey in July 2022. The motion to approve the licensing agreement with EV Range passed with a unanimous vote from the city council on July 13th, 2022. The discussion to bring an electric charging station to the city had been in the works for several years prior. 

After being stalled by delays in getting the equipment to the area, the EV charge station is online and ready to top-up travelers. Now, in 2024 and on the cusp of 2025, the City of Portola is seeing their hard work and planning come to fruition. The EV charging stations are available for use just in time for Holiday Road trips. 

Electric vehicle users often rely on apps to plan trips taking into account the distance they can drive before needing to recharge. The EV chargers are already showing up on mapping applications.  

The Cost 

The City has incurred no costs for the installation of the EV chargers, and the cost of operating the EV chargers to the city is nothing. The CALeVIP program, funded by the California Energy Commision, was utilized to provide the electric vehicle charging stations to less populated areas. 

The city will maintain access to the charging stations by performing their regular duties such as clearing snow and other possible obstructions and maintaining the surface of the parking area. This is a service that the city already provides to that area. 

The Benefits 

The City of Portola will receive a boost to the visitors that will stop in our town and will enjoy the amenities and services that our citizens enjoy. Local business owners are optimistic that the new EV charger station will bring with it much appreciated foot traffic.  

This one of the few multi-vehicle fast chargers that is not a Tesla exclusive along Highway 70. Electric vehicle users may have previously passed through Portola without a specific need to stop. Now, the EV user can stop and enjoy our town’s dining experiences, shops and many parks. 

EV sales in California have grown rapidly over the past several years with 102,507 zero emission vehicles being sold in the first quarter of 2024, the highest quarterly sales ever. Overall, California has over 2 million electric vehicles on the road. And now they have a place to charge in Portola. 

 A Step Forward 

Advances in services to the public will help ensure that Portola continues to receive visitors from all around the country. Be it holiday travels, summer road trips, weekend excursions, or trips to Lake Davis, travelers that drive electric vehicles have some peace of mind when passing through our neck of the Lost Sierra.