A new solar-powered electric-vehicle charging station was recently installed at Marina Bay Park in Richmond.
Purchased from Envision Solar International Inc., the new station was partially funded through a Bay Area Air Quality Management District grant, according to a company statement Wednesday.
The EV charging station is available to the public for free and also features an emergency power panel that allows first responders access to electricity in power outages such as the Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Since the unit is powered by the sun, it does not rely on the grid for power.
“We chose the EV ARC because it is an off-grid solar-powered charger, which saves the City installation construction costs, generates no utility bills and can be relocated as needed,” said Denée Evans of the City of Richmond Transportation Services Department. “The addition of the EV ARC complements our ‘First Mile Last Mile’ strategies to increase access and transportation connectivity. The unit is also part of the City’s emergency preparedness and energy resiliency planning. It will serve double duty as a source of electricity during power outages, particularly important with the upcoming Public Safety Power Shutoffs that have become a seasonal fire prevention norm in the Bay Area.”
