Visitors to the Community Food Co-op location in Bellingham’s Cordata neighborhood may have noticed a recent clean energy addition to the co-op parking lot: a new electric vehicle (EV) charging station is now available for public use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Officially unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 9, 2021, the charging station at 315 Westerly Road features two Level 2 charging ports and two direct current fast charging (DCFC) ports, the latter of which can fully charge an EV in under an hour.
The charging station is part of Puget Sound Energy’s Up & Go Electric program, and is the third public charging station the utility provider has built in its service area. It follows the opening of charging stations in Lacey and Kent over the past two years, with at least five more planned.
PSE has also installed charging stations at workplaces, multifamily dwellings, single-family residences and community-based service providers on a pilot basis. Learnings from these pilots will inform future EV charging programs from PSE.
“We are proud to support the City of Bellingham in its commitment to sustainability and expanding charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in our region,” says Will Einstein, Director of Product Development and Growth at PSE. “Partnering with local businesses like the Community Food Co-op to provide public charging that is fast and accessible to all drivers, helps meet the growing demand for more electric vehicles while reducing carbon emissions in our state.”
You don’t have to be a PSE customer to use the new Co-op charging station, as anyone with an EV can plug in. Users can download the Up & Go Electric app onto their smartphones when using the station, providing them with easy mobile payment options, remote monitoring, and other great features.
Driving an EV charged on PSE’s power grid can cut annual transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions by 50%, compared to a comparable gas-powered vehicle. These charging stations provide an even greener way to charge an EV, as electricity purchased at the station is matched with 100% renewable energy through PSE’s Green Power program.
It’s all part of PSE’s commitment to create a clean energy future as it aspires to be a “Beyond Net Zero Carbon” company by 2045. The energy provider will reduce its own carbon emissions to net zero, while also helping other societal sectors enable carbon reduction across Washington State.
For those who frequent the Cordata Co-op, the excitement of the new charging station — helping customers charge their vehicle in a fast, convenient, and green way — is palpable.
“I’m very excited about this partnership with PSE because sustainability is one of our core values,” says Donna Nygren, manager of the Cordata store. “In the 12 years that the Co-op has been open we’ve seen significant growth in north Bellingham. This electric charging station is a step in providing valuable and sustainable infrastructure in the area.”
To learn more about electrifying your transportation needs and PSE’s Up & Go Electric program, visit their website.
Sponsored
