Santa Cruz, CA To End Perk For Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicle owners in Santa Cruz, CA have enjoyed free metered and garage parking and charging since the city first began installing charging stations in 2002. After January 1, 2015, however, electric vehicle users will join the ranks of traditional vehicle users and be charged for parking at all for-pay locations. Charging an electric vehicle will remain free.

The incentive program was designed to last for just one year, with an expected 50 to 60 cars using the pay-parking spaces annually. To date, about that many drivers use city parking structure spaces per week, said city Public Works Department Spokeswoman Janice Bisgaard.

Bisgaard said members of public-private partnership Monterey Bay Electric Vehicle Alliance expected these type of incentive programs to gradually phase out as electric vehicle use grew.

Since their installation last year, six of the 13 Santa Cruz city-operated electric vehicle charging stations had functioned inconsistently, Bisgaard said. Eight of those stations were given a system overhaul on October 10, including installation of longer, 18-foot cables, she said.

In 2009, the Monterey Bay Electric Vehicle Alliance formed to advocate for electric vehicles in the region, including working to bring new vehicle charging stations to three local counties.

In an effort to meet public demand for both full recharges and smaller "top offs" for the community, travelers, and commuters, there are some 51 different electric vehicle charging stations at 29 sites countywide.

Santa Cruz’s move to end free alternative-energy parking comes even as the city supplements its own electric vehicle fleet, adding two new electric-powered Nissan Leafs to existing four electric cars, through an up to $54,000 grant from the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District.

Back to NAFA Connection