A new charging station near Lake Merritt will help spur the adoption of electric vehicles by providing convenient and reliable access to public fast charging
OAKLAND, Calif. – The City of Oakland celebrated the opening of an EVgo Inc. fast charging station at 519 Lake Park Avenue in Oakland, CA. Located near Lake Merritt, the public electric vehicle charging station features six 200kW fast chargers, capable of charging a vehicle up to 80% in 15-45 minutes, depending on the capability of the vehicle.
This project adds to the 235 existing public EV chargers in Oakland, expanding the network of infrastructure to support the growing number of electric vehicles among residents and visitors.
The neighborhoods surrounding Lake Merritt have some of the highest densities of older apartment buildings in the Bay Area – buildings where it is particularly challenging to add onsite electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). This charging station, therefore, overcomes a major barrier for renters and apartment dwellers in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) access.
“Since adopting the Equitable Climate Action Plan in 2020, Oakland has made critical strides in fighting the climate crisis while ensuring that the benefits of our actions go first and foremost to Oaklanders who need them most,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “This convenient new ZEV site shows our commitment to ensuring that all Oaklanders – including renters – are part of this critical transition.”
Mayor Schaaf joined Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, Shayna Hirshfield-Gold, Oakland’s Climate Program Manager, Arthur Bart-Williams from GRID Alternatives, and Sara Rafalson, EVgo’s Vice President of Market Development and Public Policy, to announce the new charging station.
“I am thrilled to see this new electric vehicle charging station open in my district, centrally located next to Splash Pad Park, our two thriving commercial corridors on Grand and Lakeshore, and Lake Merritt, the crown jewel of our city,” said Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas. “This addition will not only help residents nearby to conveniently charge their vehicles but will also improve our ability to expand access for all to surrounding amenities in the neighborhood while supporting the city’s goals of equitable and sustainable development.”
“Growing the number of people who drive EVs requires equitable distribution of public fast charging infrastructure,” said Sara Rafalson, EVgo’s Vice President of Market Development and Public Policy. “EVgo focuses on building stations in convenient locations such as near Lake Merritt where drivers can grab a bite to eat, walk through the park, or buy weekly groceries right off a major interstate while charging their EV. We look forward to deploying more charging infrastructure throughout the city of Oakland in order to support the transition to an all-electric future.”
The charging station near Lake Merritt supports the City’s Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan, a roadmap for transitioning to a fully zero-emission vehicle transportation system by 2045.
“The City’s Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan puts equitable access front and center,” said Shayna Hirshfield-Gold, Oakland’s Climate Program Manager. “Installing public charging stations is a critical action we can take to address barriers to electric vehicle adoption.”
