Where to Find Free Electric Car Charging Stations in Philadelphia Area

With the introduction of electric cars, more and more drivers in the Philadelphia area will need to know where to find free electric car charging stations for their efficient new cars.

Electric cars are suddenly a hot topic. In his 2011 State of the Union address, President Obama called for increased investment in electric car technology. Motor Trend magazine chose the Chevy Volt as its 2011 Car of the Year. Now, dealers in the Philadelphia area are also starting to sell the new Ford Focus and the Nissan Leaf.

As these electric cars roll off the lot, drivers will need to know where to find free electric car charging stations in the area.

Philadelphia

In 2010, the city of Philadelphia announced that it was using a state grant to start building electric car charging stations around the area.

"This project starts solving the chicken and egg problem by creating an electric car public charging infrastructure that will then encourage people to purchase and use electric cars," Pennsylvania Department of Environmental protection Secretary John Hanger said at the time. "The project also shows that Philadelphia can be a leader in the electric car revolution that will create enormous health, environmental and economic benefits."

The area's first free electric car charging station was unveiled in November 2010 at a Liberty gas station in South Philadelphia. The station, located on Columbus Blvd. near Tasker Street, offers free charging for electric cars for the time being. Eventually, drivers will be able to recharge their cars while charging the electicity costs to their credit card.

"I'm not even sure if it will be profitable," says station owner Norman Zarwin, who believes it may take five to ten years for enough electric cars to be on the road to make his charging stations a real business. "Which comes first, the cars or the charging stations? There should be a wave of electric cars and trucks in the future."

Manyanuk

Another forward-thinking company is installing electric car charging stations in the housing complex it is building in the northwest suburb of Manyanuk, PA.

Denale, Inc. is building luxury townhomes in the Sheldon Crossing complex that feature what the company calls "green living." This includes the use of energy efficient building materials, as well as on-going procedures that incorporate low waste, recycling and more. Among those "green" amenities are the electric car charging stations available to residents.

"This new development is a showcase for the future of eco-friendly living," says Richard Lowenthal, CEO of Coulomb Technologies, the makers of the electric car charging stations. "Charging stations for electric vehicles should be at the top of nearly every LEED checklist. We are pleased the developers have taken a progressive approach in looking at green transportation and electric vehicles."