Ditch Your Gas-Guzzler: Why you Can Truly Drive Electric In Washington

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Vintage Electric Cars Benefit From New Electric Car Sales Too
If you’re in the market for an electric car, the chances are you’ve resigned yourself... Read More

• #7LEADERBOARD RANK
• 1083ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 21COMMENTS POSTED

2,042 views Nov 3, 2010

Follow Nikki

Add to circle

Proposed EV charger Locations in Washington.

Enlarge Photo

Imagine what a city totally switched onto electric cars would be like. Discount parking, HOV lane access and perhaps even free charging is what might come to mind.  

But just how many chargers should you expect in a city switching on to the benefits of all-electric motoring?  200? 600? 1000?

Washington state may soon become the model state for any area wishing to support electric vehicles, with the largest roll-out of electric vehicle charging stations the U.S. has seen. 

If you live in the greater Seattle and Olympia metro areas you’ll soon find over 1,200, thanks to a joint project between local government, utility companies and ECOtality, makers of the Blink range of electric vehicle charging stations. 

Announced last week, ECOtality, Inc. aims to install 1,200 Level 2 charging stations along the Puget Sound coastline, and 22 high-power DC fast charge stations, capable of charging cars like the 2011 Nissan Leaf from empty to 80% full in under 30 minutes. 

But why Washington and not California, where electric vehicle companies like Tesla and Coda are based?

ECOtality Blink DC fast charger plugged in

Not only does the Puget sound benefit from a forward thinking Governor in the form of Washington State’s Chris Gregoire, but the area is a mere stones-throw away from Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters, where many employees already enjoy plug-in hybrids and other electric cars as daily drivers. 

What does this mean for electric car owners in the greater Seattle area? 

Apart from the environmental kudos to the state, anyone living within a 100 mile radius of Seattle should be able to commute to work daily without the fear of suffering range anxiety, with 22 fast-charge stations offering a quick recharge while you have lunch or visit a local coffee shop. 

ECOtality charge station design by Mark Lee Johnston

Enlarge Photo

With so many chargers installed in a relatively small area, we’re now struggling to justify why anyone in the Seattle area would even need to own a gasoline car any more. 

Will this kind of mass EV infrastructure development happen elsewhere? ECOtaily certainly hope so. Its EV-Project is already spearheading other areas in the U.S. for a similarly intensive treatment, installing EV-friendly infrastructure on an unprecedented level, offering charging at gas-stations and Best Buy outlets to name just two prime locations to juice up.

[ECOtality]