FOLLOWUP: City’s new electric-vehicle fast-charging station now open in West Seattle Junction

| Environment | Transportation | West Seattle news

West Seattle’s newest electric-vehicle fast-charging station is open – on 39th SW just south of West Seattle Bowl. Construction started six months ago but, like so many things, was slowed by the pandemic response. We’ve been following up with Seattle City Light to check on the progress, and got word today that the two-charger station is now open:

Details on the cost and how to use them are in this FAQ. Some fast facts are also part of its listing on the PlugShare map. This location was chosen a year and a half ago, after initial consideration of a site at Don Armeni Boat Ramp.

skeeter October 12, 2020 (5:21 pm)

Are there any locations in West Seattle with FREE electric car charging?

Seriously? October 12, 2020 (6:16 pm)

Yes, right next to the free gas pumps.
- 1994 October 12, 2020 (9:32 pm)
  
  Good reply, right next to the free gas pumps – ha! Why should you get to charge your electric car for free?
  - skeeter October 13, 2020 (10:03 am)
    
    You guys can make fun of me all you want but you’re failing to understand the reality. Many electric vehicle charging stations in the U.S. are, indeed, free. (Well, “free” for the customer. Obviously someone is paying for the chargers and electricity.) Sometimes it is a municipality recognizing the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs.) Sometimes it is stores and businesses that want to attract customers with an EV. There are a variety of reasons that some EV chargers do not charge a fee to the customer and they exist throughout our state and country. Same reason some parking spaces are “free” – some government or business is willing to provide a subsidy by offering a service at no charge to the customer.
    - Greg October 13, 2020 (3:21 pm)
      
      don’t mind those trolls. Us other forward thinkers understand what you are talking about.It is odd to me, but I have never seen free charging in Seattle. Portland, yes. Bellevue, yes. Seattle, no. Frankly, I think Seattle has been far behind the curve of other (progressive) cities when it comes to encouraging EV adoption (which we all know is good for the world and should be encouraged). You can’t even get a time-of-use electric rate from Seattle City Light so as to benefit both yourself and the grid by charging during non-peak hours. go figure. that being said, it will be few and far between when I pay for charging anymore. We just got our solar installed and it should be sufficient to offset our house and both cars year round. :-D
    - Keith Hughes October 13, 2020 (3:33 pm)
      
      There is on at the Walgreen’s at 35th & Morgan, and almost every Walgreen’s I have been to.
Michael October 12, 2020 (6:31 pm)

checkout the plugshare map https://www.plugshare.com/
- skeeter October 12, 2020 (7:29 pm)
  
  Thanks for the plugshare site @Michael. It isn’t perfectly clear to me, though. Can you filter by free charging locations? For example, is the charger in the Whitaker free? I don’t have an EV but I’m curious because I see a lot of posts on EV forums from folks who find the free charging locations. Thanks.
  - M October 13, 2020 (6:10 am)
    
    They be if the Whittaker ever finished the setup process on the chargers so one could use them.

Chris K October 13, 2020 (8:04 am)

I’m happy to see this. If you absolutely need a car (most car owners in Seattle do not), then electric should be your only choice.

Greg October 13, 2020 (3:33 pm)

I see in the plugshare comments someone already experienced being ICEd in one of the spots. SCL/SDOT, if you’re listening, please make sure to get lots of “no parking except for EVs _while charging_” paint all over those charging spots! Thanks!

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