New EV Chargers Installed in WeHo

A contractor installed new electric vehicle charging stations at Plummer Park this week, a West Hollywood city planner said. The parking structures on Kings Road and at the West Hollywood Library will get new car chargers before the end of the month.

The eight charging stations are by Blink and feature a standardized plug that's compatible with the newest electric vehicles on the market and is safer than older charger designs, Assistant Planner Chris Corrao said. 

San Francisco-based ECOtality Inc. purchases the charging stations from Blink and installs them at city locations. The contractor also handles maintenance for the charging equipment and provides the city with data on usage.

The Ramada Plaza Hotel has a Blink charger via ECOtality, and the company is considering approaching the West Hollywood Target store about adding EV charging stations to its parking facility, according to Corrao.

The Blink chargers have smart-phone apps that enable users to remotely monitor their car's charging progress.

"You can check the status of charge while at a cafe down the street," Corrao said.

Funding for the charging stations comes from a U.S. Department of Energy grant.

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