Politics & Government
San Antonio Installs First EVSA Electric Vehicle Charger At San Antonio Zoo
This project is part of the City's Electric Vehicle San Antonio (EVSA) program, led by the Office of Sustainability.
September 22, 2021
CONTACT: Michelle Vigil, City of San Antonio
michelle.vigil@sanantonio.gov
Hope Roth, San Antonio Zoo
hope.roth@sazoo.org
Blink Charging
PR@BlinkCharging.com
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San Antonio, TX (September 22, 2021) - Today, the City of San Antonio announced the installation of its first publicly accessible Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger as part of a comprehensive EV program to advance the City’s climate action and air quality goals. Through a unique public-private partnership, Blink Charging Co., a leading owner, operator, and provider of electric vehicle charging equipment and services, is installing its state-of-the-art IQ 200 Level 2 EV charging station at San Antonio Zoo. This project is part of the City’s Electric Vehicle San Antonio (EVSA) program, led by the Office of Sustainability.
Private cars are one of the largest contributors of polluting emissions, according to SA Climate Ready, Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. EVSA is a multi-faceted program designed to support electric transportation and EV drivers through education, encouragement, infrastructure, and policy with a focus on equity. Electric vehicles produce zero emissions. The first phase of this project includes 50 dual-port chargers deployed in strategic locations around the city. Blink and CPS Energy, San Antonio’s municipal electric utility, have conducted thorough assessments to identify ideal locations for its IQ 200 Level 2 EV charging stations.
“I’m excited to see this project come to fruition,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “As the Mayor and EV driver, I support these new charging stations being installed on City property not only as an amenity for our residents, but also as a visible sign that we are committed to clean and technologically-advanced transportation choices.”
“Having an EV charger at San Antonio Zoo compliments our focus on conservation,” commented President & CEO San Antonio Zoo, Tim Morrow. “We are thrilled guests can charge their electric vehicles while enjoying time at the zoo.”
The new EV chargers are the state-wide Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program (TxVEMP) through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This historic $10.4 million fund is specifically for establishing Level 2 charging across Texas in order to improve air quality. The partnership with Blink will provide a new revenue stream for the City of San Antonio, with revenue from the charging station shared between the City and Blink.
“Blink is proud to work with the City of San Antonio to help achieve its climate, sustainability, transportation, and air quality goals,” said Brendan Jones, President of Blink. “Encouraging widespread adoption of EVs is core to Blink’s mission, and this includes minimizing the barriers to EV charging for all residents. Texas continues to be a growth market for EVs, and this project will help drive public awareness by increasing the number of charging options available in the state.”
This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.