Seattle intends to put as many as 200 public curbside Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations in place by 2030, and residents can already ask for one to be installed close to where they live.
The program is aimed at people who park on the street or live in apartments and have no easy way to charge at home. According to Seattle City Light, more than half of the city's homes are apartments or condominiums. Older houses and houseboats can also lack a place to plug in away from the street.
City Light and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) are focusing on neighborhoods that currently have the fewest charging options. The stations are meant for topping up a vehicle while it is parked near home, and every new location will be open to the public.
Seattle says its curbside Level 2 chargers can add roughly 12 to 30 miles of range per hour, depending on the vehicle and the equipment used.
On cost, City Light currently charges $0.21 per kilowatt-hour at its Level 2 chargers. At that rate, 30 kWh would cost $6.30. Using the utility's estimate of about 3 miles per kWh, that equals around 90 miles of range, though the actual figure depends on the EV and driving conditions.
The expansion builds on a pilot that ran from 2023 to 2024 at 31 locations. SDOT says the pilot saw strong use and drew positive feedback from the community. The new installations will be paid for with the transportation levy that voters approved in 2024.
Residents can submit a request for a curbside charger through City Light's program page. Applications will stay open through fall 2027, and locations will be reviewed and chosen on a rolling basis. In making selections, the city will weigh gaps in charging availability, environmental and equity goals, and whether a site has the electrical infrastructure needed for an installation.
The first installations under the expansion are scheduled to begin in fall 2027, with work continuing through 2030.
