The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) has selected it’s electric to deploy 90 new curbside Level-2 charging ports across the city over the next 12 months. The expansion represents a strategic shift from the former BlueLA carshare network to fully public charging infrastructure accessible to all EV drivers.
Highlights
- 90 new public charging ports will be installed citywide through partnership between LADOT and it’s electric over 12-month deployment timeline
- First detachable cable system deployed at scale in the United States addresses cable theft and vandalism while ensuring future vehicle compatibility
- Initial 15 chargers opening November-December 2025 at three Koreatown locations with 24/7 public access
- Level-2 charging infrastructure designed for overnight charging to serve drivers without home charging access
Deployment Timeline and Initial Locations
The first phase includes 15 charging stations opening across three Koreatown sites:
- 4473 West 1st Street (between S Western Ave and Oxford Ave)
- 625 South Harvard Blvd (between 6th St and Wilshire Blvd)
- 615 South Virgil Ave (between 6th St and Wilshire Blvd)
All stations provide 24/7 access to Level-2 charging infrastructure optimized for extended charging sessions typical of overnight parking patterns.
Technical Innovation: Detachable Cable System
The deployment introduces the country’s first large-scale implementation of detachable cable charging technology. The system addresses critical infrastructure challenges:
- Theft and vandalism mitigation: Removable cables eliminate the primary target for cable theft at public charging stations
- Vehicle compatibility: Detachable design eliminates adapter requirements for different vehicle connector types
- Uptime optimization: Reduced vandalism ensures higher station availability and reliability
- Driver accessibility: Each network user receives a complimentary cable from it’s electric
This Level-2 charging infrastructure provides the same “plug and forget” experience available to residential EV owners with home charging capabilities.
Strategic Infrastructure Objectives
The curbside charging expansion aligns with Los Angeles’ comprehensive clean transportation strategy targeting three core objectives:
Transportation Emissions Reduction: Scaling public charging infrastructure to accelerate EV adoption rates across all demographic segments
Urban Accessibility: Delivering charging solutions for residents in high-density neighborhoods lacking private parking or garage access
Infrastructure Resilience: Deploying vandalism-resistant technology to maximize charger uptime and network reliability
“Los Angeles continues to be at the forefront of policies and solutions that enable EV charging infrastructure for all,” said Karen Coronel, Sr. Manager for Special Initiatives at it’s electric. “The conversion of the BlueLA network to fully public charging lets us provide local charging to drivers where they already park: the curb, and we’re thrilled to kick off this work in a neighborhood as dynamic as Koreatown.”
Network Expansion Context
The project converts former BlueLA carshare charging infrastructure to fully public access, removing previous membership or vehicle-specific restrictions. The expansion addresses a critical gap for drivers without home charging access—a population numbering in the millions nationwide.
Building owners and drivers interested in curbside charging expansion can join it’s electric’s waitlist at itselectric.us/join. Additional information is available at itselectric.us.
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