The city of Albuquerque has been awarded $180,000 from New Mexico's portion of the VW Settlement Trust Fund to build 24 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city. The city was also awarded $800,000 to be put towards electric buses for the transit department.
The new charging stations will supply increased access to EV and plug-in hybrid 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 $800,856 awarded to transit will serve as the local match to the Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant the city received from the Federal Transit Administration last year to eventually buy five electric buses. The federal portion of the grant is $2.786 million.
“This effort started before the coronavirus hit and is part of government continuity for projects that will improve quality of life for our residents in the years to come,” said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re building a cleaner, more sustainable Albuquerque, and as more people make the change to electric and hybrid vehicles, we’re putting in the infrastructure to support that shift. These new stations will give Burqueños access to charge EVs and hybrids throughout the city.” This push for more access to electric vehicle charging is part of a larger initiative by the city to make significant cuts to air pollution and contributions to climate change. The city is also working to convert 100 percent of fleet vehicles to plug-in hybrids, EVs and alternative fuel vehicles, with plans to purchase more than 40 EV and hybrid vehicles to incorporate into the city fleet.
Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric buses produce less air pollution than traditional gas-powered vehicles, making them a strong option to lower air pollution and climate change impacts stemming from vehicles.
“The New Mexico Environment Department is thrilled to award this funding to the city of Albuquerque,” said Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “Providing reliable access to charging infrastructure is a key part of increasing the use of electric vehicles and decreasing harmful emissions.”
The new stations will be located at 11 city facilities including the Sunport, Central and Unser Library, Albuquerque Balloon Museum, North Domingo Baca and Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Centers, Los Altos Golf Course and Explora. Stations will also appear in on-street parking spots in Nob Hill and downtown. The city says facilities were chosen to support best opportunities to ensure equity of access throughout the city and proximity to major roadways, shopping and other attractions.
In 2019, the city installed 14 EV charging stations at Civic Plaza Parking Garage and the ABQ BioPark – increasing the total of city-owned EV charging stations from two to 16. The incoming charging stations funded by the state will bring the total of EV charging stations to 40. The city hopes to have stations up and running by early 2021.
Once delivered, the five electric buses will be placed on local routes throughout the city.
