Where to Find Free Electric Car Charging Stations in Baltimore Area

The buzz surrounding electric cars is increasing around the Baltimore area. The electric and gas-powered Chevy Volt and the plug-in Nissan Leaf are showing up with increased regularity on the roads in Maryland. Soon, the eco-friendly Ford Focus Electric will go on sale at dealers in nearby Washington, DC.

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

Mount Royal

The city's first electric car charging station was unveiled this spring in a parking garage at a newly-opened apartment complex on Mount Royal Avenue. Developers of the residential building, called The Fitzgerald, included two electric car charging stations in the garage as part of the project's overall focus on environmentally-conscious green technology.

"As a developer, builder, owner and manager, we recognize that we have the opportunity to be a leader in the sustainable use of the Earth's resources," says Toby Bozzuto, president of the Bozzuto Development Company. "We also realize that, over the long term, we can actually create more value with less environmental impact. We look forward to helping recharge current-and future-electric vehicle owners at The Fitzgerald."

Catonsville

At the Community College of Baltimore County, two electric car charging stations are operational. The chargers support a unique curriculum at CCBC, which is part of the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium and offer its students classes in the repair and maintenance of electric cars.

Westminster

Shoppers who drive electric cars will find that charging is easy at the College Square Shopping Center in Westminster, Maryland. Two electric car charging stations have been installed at the center, and shoppers can currently recharge their plug-in cars for free.

"2011 is going to be a really interesting year to see the takeoff of the electric vehicles and the electric vehicle infrastructure that is needed to retain the electric vehicles," says Naly Yang from SemaConnect, the Annapolis company that installed the chargers. "I think with the current state of things, more people are going to want to go green. It's definitely here to stay."

BWI

In the other geographic direction, to the south of the city, free electric car charging stations have been installed at the Element Hotel Arundel Mills, located in Hanover, Maryland not far from Baltimore-Washington International airport.

The hotel offers electric car charging stations for its guests, with access for the general public as well. It is part of the overall "green" initiative that is a key factor in the Element hotel chain's branding message. The company's hotels utilize eco-friendly materials, and adhere to stringent policies on reduced use of resources and widespread recycling.

"By offering a charging station for electric vehicles, we are deepening our commitment to greener travel as a key part of an environmentally responsible lifestyle," says Brian McGuinness, senior vice president for specialty-select brands for Element's parent company. "We are proud to be playing a part in the development of the infrastructure needed to support the anticipated increase in electric vehicles over the next several years."