#United States #Oakland #electric vehicles #Ava Community Energy #Fast Charging

Ava Community Energy Launches Fast Charging Network

Ava Community Energy proudly announces the launch of its first electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station, located in downtown Oakland, California. This station marks the beginning of a planned network of up to fifteen charging stations in total, designed to improve convenience for existing electric vehicle users and to effectively lower barriers for future adopters.

The first Ava Charge station is situated at the Oakland City Center West Garage and is distinguished as the largest non-Tesla fast charging facility in Northern California. With an impressive array of 18 chargers and a total of 31 connectors, this station is equipped to accommodate all EV models available on the market, ensuring inclusivity for all electric vehicle owners.

Howard Chang, CEO of Ava Community Energy, expressed enthusiasm about this initiative, stating, "We are excited to have launched our first fast charging station in the City of Oakland, a city that was instrumental in the founding of our agency just a handful of years ago. Our collaboration with Oakland underscores our common goal of enhancing access to clean energy and transportation."

Ava operates as a Community Choice Aggregator, which means it collaborates closely with member cities to identify and plan the locations for these fast charging stations. The overarching objective is to broaden access to electric vehicle usage and foster decarbonization efforts within the community. The designated locations include city-owned public garages, parking lots, and curbsides, strategically situated near essential community and business hubs, as well as in proximity to multi-family housing. This approach is particularly vital in Alameda County, where nearly half of the population are renters.

"We want to be part of the solution to make clean powered transportation more accessible for everyone, particularly in underserved areas," Chang added. He highlights the importance of placing charging stations near communities where home charging may be challenging or unfeasible. This initiative is crucial in breaking down the barriers to EV adoption, facilitating greater equity in electric vehicle accessibility.

The charging station is designed with convenient access for commuters, situated close to the freeway as well. It is a significant step towards achieving Oakland's 2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP), which aims at confronting climate change by prioritizing vulnerable communities and increasing equitable access to clean air. Oakland City Councilmember Rowena Brown, who serves on the Ava Community Energy Board, noted, "This project reflects the city's commitment to advancing equitable climate solutions."

By establishing charging stations in areas of high population density, Ava aims to create the necessary infrastructure for more residents to consider the transition to electric vehicles. Electric vehicle charging stations are central to Ava's mission of expanding access to clean, sustainable energy that benefits a broader segment of the community while furthering decarbonization efforts.

The Ava Charge station at Oakland is not just a landmark for Ava but also symbolizes the collaborative effort with various partners. San Francisco-based EV Realty led the engineering, procurement, and construction of the project, ensuring its ongoing maintenance and operations. Additionally, Kempower supplied the 18 EV charging dispensers currently in use at the facility.

Chang concluded by emphasizing the broader vision: "Our goal is to expand access to clean, sustainable energy through various means, such as increased use of solar systems, enhanced electric transportation options, and improvements in household energy efficiency. The Ava Charge initiative is just a single step towards our larger objective of facilitating the transition to carbon-free energy for all."

After successfully launching the Oakland City Center West Garage station, Ava has plans to work with member cities to introduce up to fourteen more fast charging stations by the end of 2030, aligning with its commitment to sustainable energy solutions and community development.

About Ava Community Energy

Ava Community Energy (Ava) is a non-profit public power provider serving more than 2 million residents and businesses in Alameda County, as well as the cities of Tracy, Stockton, and Lathrop. As one of the 25 community choice aggregation programs operating in California, Ava promotes energy choice while advancing local and state climate action goals. To date, the organization has saved customers over $170 million and has successfully contracted for over one gigawatt of renewable energy projects.