08/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/29/2024 13:46
The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing BART $14.1 million to install Level 2 EV charging ports at all BART-managed parking facilities. These charging stations will be available for BART riders as well as community members who live nearby stations and have been hesitant to buy an electric vehicle because of a lack of convenient charging options.
"BART already strongly encourages riders to walk, bike or take other public transit to our stations," said BART Sustainability Group Manager Monica Meagher. "This grant will allow us to jumpstart our efforts to expand the availability of EV chargers at all of our stations, which will provide our riders another environmentally friendly way to get to BART."
BART is issuing a request for proposals to find a third-party partner to design, install, own, and operate the chargers. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025.
BART plans to prioritize EV deployment at stations in or near disadvantaged communities. Expanding EV charging at BART will support robust electric vehicle adoption across a wide range of socioeconomic groups. Providing EV charging at stations is consistent with BART's sustainability goals and commitment to improving the Bay Area environment. Every weekday, BART riders save nearly 31,000 gallons of gas and directly reduce CO2e emissions by more than 600,000 pounds.
The award to BART is part of nearly $150 million the U.S. Department of Transportation is providing to five California projects to build zero-emission vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure. The funding comes through the Federal Highway Administration's Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program.