Mesa progresses with plans to improve electric vehicle charging

PHOENIX — The city of Mesa will proceed with its plans to improve its electric vehicle charging stations, the city announced earlier this month.

In an effort to make charging stations more accessible and convenient for its residents, the city wants to add at least 48 new electric vehicle charging ports with a nearly $15 million budget to carry out the operation.

Earlier this year, Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton awarded Mesa an $11.8 million grant to install 48 electric vehicle charging ports, in addition to a required 20% non-reimbursable local match of nearly $3 million that will make up the rest of the budget.

There are currently at least 49 public electric charging stations that hold 118 ports for the more than 3,200 residents who drive electric vehicles in Mesa.

The new stations will be strategically deployed across the city after a Community Electric Vehicle Action Plan was developed a year ago.

What electric vehicle charging station improvements are coming?

All charging sites will be required to be publicly accessible for 24 hours each day. In addition, solar canopies for shade and power generation and ADA accessibility are requirements for the proposals.

Here are some of the other improvements on the way:

• Four Neighborhood ChargingHubs will be added featuring Level 2 and DCFC ports (16 ports at 19kW, 8 ports at 50-60kW) implemented for e-bike/e-scooter charging
• Two Fast Charging Hubs with 8 DCFC ports at 150-180k will also be installed
• Two Public Fleet ChargingHubs with 8 DCFC ports at 150-180kW and 8 DCFC ports at 50-60kW are also among the additions

Follow @veenstra_david