Two new public electric vehicle charging stations open in Fresno

Two months ago, I decided to look back at the state of public electric charging infrastructure for electric cars in Fresno. Sadly, the situation was still very dire.

Fortunately, there has been some news on that front. Chargers have arrived at Fresno State and Downtown:

Fresno State is planning to give electric car drivers more
options to “charge up” under plans announced Friday to build a six-stall
charging station on campus.

University officials say the station
located west of Save Mart Center will have two quick-charge pumps — a
car’s battery could recharge in 20 to 30 minutes — plus four more for
longer charges. It’s being paid for through a $397,000 grant from the
California Energy Commission.

The university’s station is scheduled to open in September 2015.
Electric car drivers can currently power up at just a few public
locations, including the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control
District office, Schneider Electric, and Lithia Nissan on Blackstone
Avenue.
Fresno Bee

The chargers actually opened ahead of schedule, and can be used immediately.

The chargers are open to the public, but not free. Fresno State charges $3 per day to park there normally, unless you have a semester pass. During events at the Savemart Center, prices are a flat $10 or $15.

On top of that, the charger itself with cost you $1 an hour. 

Due to these costs, it will really only benefit students and staff who would park there anyway, or those who are attending an event. Further, the chargers are too isolated from Shaw Avenue business to be of any use to anyone not conducting business at the University.

A new location downtown does provide for more flexibility.

Four new recharging stations for electric vehicles were
opened Wednesday in downtown Fresno by the Fresno Area Hispanic
Foundation.

The foundation installed the charging stations at its
Downtown Business Hub, 1444 Fulton St. The charging stations are the
product of a partnership between the Hispanic Foundation, the San
Joaquin Valley Electric Vehicle Partnership and NRG eVGo, through a
grant of almost $20,000 from the California Energy Commission and other
state agencies.
Fresno Bee

I could find no information on pricing or access. However, the lot is located at Fulton and Stanislaus, just north of the Fulton Mall. It is located across from the Cornerstone Church and from the new Lede apartment building under construction.

The lot itself is not gated, so it may be open 24/7, depending on their signage and towing policy. That would allow one to charge up while visiting an area store or restaurant.

It’s good to finally see some options, but there’s a long way to go.