We’ve come a long way, SF. Just last year, the Bay Area Quality Management District approved $5 million to fund a regional electric vehicle charging infrastructure program. The funds support the development of 3,000 home charging stations, 2,000 public, and 50 stations near highways. And one of those charging stations might be coming to a drug store near you.
As public charging stations became more available, companies started getting the hint and last November marked the installation of the first commercially-owned electric charging station in the city, at Priority Parking’s lot on Pier 27.
But while SF’s lack of parking spaces and garage space is hindering many of SF’s electric car charging efforts, the Chicago Tribune reports that Walgreens might be swooping in to fill the gap. The drug store chain plans to install electric vehicle charging stations at 800 of its locations nationwide, including in San Francisco and LA.
According to Green Biz, “drivers who want to recharge their cars at a Walgreens will find one of two types of devices: a high-speed direct current charger, which can add 30 miles of range in roughly 10 minutes, or a Level 2 device that adds as much as 25 miles of range per hour of charge.” In either case, enough juice for electric car drivers like Mayor Ed Lee to get around town.
Walgreens has yet to specify which of SF’s many Walgreens locations will get the chargers, which are expected to start to appear at the drug stores next month.
They also haven’t said what they’ll be charging to use the stations — while SF’s city owned charging stations will be free for use until 2013, privately owned stations’ fees are set by their owners.
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