Seattle is moving forward with a plan to install up to 200 new curbside Level 2 EV chargers across the city by 2030. The initiative aims to make charging more accessible for residents of apartment buildings and neighborhoods with limited existing infrastructure.
Citywide Rollout Targets Underserved Areas
Seattle’s new curbside charging project will focus on areas with high concentrations of apartment buildings and few charging options. Residents are invited to apply for new charger locations through the Seattle City Light portal until fall 2027. The city will review applications and select sites in batches of 40-50, ensuring a rolling and responsive installation process.
Design and permitting for the selected sites will begin in spring 2027, with installation work starting in fall 2027. Each location will undergo about two weeks of active construction, and all chargers are expected to be operational by 2030.
Prioritizing Equity and Accessibility
The program will use a ‘walk score’ metric to ensure new chargers are placed near businesses and parks, which is expected to increase utilization. Communities that have experienced underinvestment or are affected by pollution will receive priority for new installations.
This approach follows a pilot program that saw 58 chargers installed at 31 locations in 2023 and 2024. According to SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali, these chargers were used 45,000 times in the past year.
Funding and Technical Details
The curbside charger rollout is funded by the $1.55 billion Seattle Transportation Levy, approved by voters in 2024. Of the $32 million dedicated to electrification, about $21 million will go toward the 200 new curbside chargers, with an additional $2 million provided by Seattle City Light.
Currently, it costs $0.21 per kilowatt-hour to use Seattle’s curbside EV chargers, which have a peak power output of 9.6 kilowatts.
Why this matters
With over half of Seattle’s homes being apartments or condominiums, many residents lack access to private off-street parking and home charging. The city’s plan to expand curbside charging infrastructure is designed to address this gap and support broader EV adoption.
By prioritizing underserved neighborhoods and using data-driven site selection, Seattle aims to make EV ownership more practical for a wider range of residents.
What this means for buyers
Seattle residents who rely on street parking or live in multifamily buildings may soon have more convenient access to EV charging. Those interested in having a charger installed near their home should consider applying through the Seattle City Light portal before fall 2027.
As the rollout progresses, EV buyers in Seattle can expect improved access to charging, potentially making electric vehicle ownership more feasible in urban neighborhoods.
Key Specs
- Total Chargers Planned: 200 by 2030
- Charger Type: Level 2, curbside
- Peak Power Output: 9.6 kW
- Charging Cost: $0.21 per kWh
- Construction Timeline: Spring 2027 (design/permitting), Fall 2027 (installation start), complete by 2030
- Funding: $21M (~AUD 30M) from levy, $2M (~AUD 2.9M) from Seattle City Light
- Pilot Usage: 45,000 sessions in past year (58 chargers at 31 locations)
Images sourced from: insideevs.com, powermidwest.com, crelectric.net
