City of Albuquerque Ribbon Cutting on 18 New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The City of Albuquerque held a ribbon cutting ceremony today to unveil 18 new electric vehicle charging stations across the city. The Keller administration partnered with Paradise Power Company Inc. who installed 18 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, nearly doubling the number of places in Albuquerque to charge electric vehicles. The new charging stations are supported by grant funding from the State-managed Volkswagen Settlement Fund. The City now operates a total of 34 EV charging stations.

“It takes a commitment to sustainability and big investments in infrastructure like this to create a cleaner, heathier Albuquerque,” said Chief Operations Officer, Lawrence Rael. “Adding new charging stations breaks down the barriers to encourage greater adoption of electric vehicles.”

Providing the infrastructure for more access to electric vehicle charging is part of a larger initiative by the City to significantly cut air pollution and transportation contributions to climate change. These stations make it easier to drive EVs and plug-in hybrids for owners both living in and traveling through Albuquerque – filling in service gaps along U.S. Interstate 40, Paseo del Norte, and U.S. Interstate 25.

The new stations are located at nine City facilities including the Central and Unser Library, Albuquerque Balloon Museum, North Domingo Baca and Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Centers, Los Altos Golf Course and Explora. Facilities were chosen to meet a number of criteria including equity of access throughout the city and proximity to major roadways, shopping and other attractions. The City will continue to assess opportunities to increase the City’s EV charging network in the coming years.

“The New Mexico Environment Department is proud to support the City of Albuquerque’s efforts – and those all over the state – by helping to fund electric vehicle charging infrastructure,” said New Mexico Environment Department Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “Partners like the City of Albuquerque are essential as we all work toward making low- and zero-emission vehicles more accessible to New Mexicans.”

“We made sure to meet people where they were at in shopping centers and other locations we know they spend time in,” said Sustainability Officer Kelsey Rader. “We’re making sure these chargers are located in every area of the city, being equitable in our access is the best way to combat climate change.”

“The City of Albuquerque shows its leadership and dedication to sustainability by offering EV charging to residents and visitors,” said Davin Jader, Senior Director, Sales, ChargePoint. “EV charging helps meet air quality goals, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and builds local economies by attracting tourism and encouraging people to spend more time at local businesses and city facilities while they charge their vehicles. By implementing ChargePoint EV driving solutions in partnership with PPC Solar, Albuquerque is helping lead the charge to drive a more sustainable future.”

This project builds on the Keller administration’s substantial work on sustainability:

• Won a $2.7 million federal grant to bring the first electric buses to Albuquerque,
• Signed the Paris Agreement, after President Trump pulled out, committing the city to climate action,
• Installed 38 solar projects at city-owned buildings,
• Launched the Green Team to expand sustainability across departments,
• Launched the Mayor’s Energy Challenge to support local businesses reduce energy use,
• Won Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge with funding for sustainability efforts,
• Made the transition to more sustainable LED street lights citywide,
• Provided over 200 homes with free energy audits and upgrades in partnership with PNM, Partnership for Community Action and Prosperity Works,
• Partnered with PNM to launch the Solar Direct project to get to achieve over 80% renewable energy use by Fall 2021,
• Purchased the first electric vehicles for the City fleet, and enacted a “Zero Emissions First” fleet vehicle adoption policy,
• Achieved LEED for Cities Silver certification,
• Ranked 40th on the 2020 City Clean Energy Scorecard—and 5th most improved—by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE),
• Invested $300,000 in VW settlement funding to add 18 electric charging stations in Albuquerque by Summer 2021, and
• Launched the 2021 Climate Action Plan.