Tacoma is driving forward into the future of transportation with a sweeping expansion of its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the downtown area. The boost comes in a partnership with Tacoma Public Utilities and the Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability. The Downtown EV Charging Expansion Project has nearly doubled the number of publicly accessible EV chargers, according to an announcement from the City of Tacoma.
In a decisive stride, 21 new chargers have been installed across seven City-operated parking lots and garages, two of which are conveniently located near I-705 for accessible by drivers easily. Currently, downtown Tacoma boasts a total of 51 public EV chargers, including 47 Level 2 chargers and two Level 3 DC fast chargers, with an additional 13 set to become operational shortly. Drivers seeking exact information on charger locations, types, and availability can find it detailed on the city's website.
Mayor Victoria Woodards was quoted in a City of Tacoma publication, celebrating the initiative's alignment with the city's green ambitions. "Nearly doubling the number of publicly accessible EV chargers in Tacoma’s downtown core is a major step forward in our commitment to clean transportation and climate resilience," she articulated. This forward-thinking approach is part of Tacoma's broader objective to hit electrification goals by 2030 while ensuring downtown remains a hub for both locals and visitors who are progressively opting for electric vehicles.
The city invites community members to commemorate this achievement with a "plugging-in" event celebrating the new DC fast charging stations. The event details are as follows: April 22 at 9:15 a.m., located at the Tacoma Municipal Lot, 728 Market St. The launch of this vital infrastructure is the fruit of cooperative funding, with significant contributions stemming from the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, and the Washington State Department of Ecology.
