Mayor London N. Breed said that, by advancing proposals from three leading EV charging companies - Urban EV, it’s electric, and Voltpost - San Francisco will move closer to achieving its climate action goals and supporting equitable adoption of EVs for residents without off-street parking.
The program is a collaborative effort between various City departments including the SFMTA, San Francisco Public Works, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and the San Francisco Environment Department (SFE). The initiative will also engage community stakeholders to ensure broad support and successful implementation.
EV charging providers first apply by detailing their technology and proposed installation locations. The City then reviews applications to ensure they meet the necessary criteria and support San Francisco’s Climate Action Plan and equity goals. Once approved, applicants can proceed with obtaining any required permits, such as Excavation Permits from Public Works.
Once installed, the program establishes a data-gathering partnership with the charging providers to monitor usage, demand, and other key metrics. This information will guide the development of a comprehensive citywide policy for curbside EV charging. The goal is to implement and install a select number of chargers in the coming months, for up to two years or until San Francisco completes its citywide implementation effort.
This new curbside street charging plan is the latest effort in Mayor Breed’s work to advance electric vehicle charging as one major climate action goals that aligns with other efforts like advancing clean power programs, eliminating natural gas, building electrification, and funding community programs around electrification, emissions reduction, urban greening, composting, waste and toxics reduction, and environmental justice programs.
“From our historic cable cars to the autonomous vehicles on our streets, San Francisco’s spirit of innovation is visible all around us,” said Mayor Breed. “Soon, curbside charging will be yet another example of how we are leading the way. Over the last few months, we have been working hard to quickly meet the fast-growing charging needs of our residents. By partnering with cutting-edge charging providers, we are not only providing a new service but also paving the way for scalable solutions that can serve communities across the City.”
This next phase of the pilot program builds on months of collaboration between the City - including the Environment Department, SFMTA, and Public Works - and prospective EV charging providers to first refine their proposals, ensuring feasibility and effectiveness prior to formally applying for the necessary permits and public hearings. This proactive approach minimizes financial risk for the providers and ensures that selected locations are well-suited for installation, paving the way for rapid implementation.
“This pilot exemplifies the City’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector and meet our climate goals,” said SFMTA Director of Transportation Jeff Tumlin. “We can help improve access to a cleaner commute by supporting multiple modes of low carbon transportation.”
