First EV charging station added to Brawley

Imperial county is on the electric train and is ready to add 40 more stations throughout Imperial Valley

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - With gas prices and a commitment from California to go all electric, there's a non-profit in the valley at the forefront of this change.

Comité Civico del Valle (CCV) unveiled the first electric vehicle charging station today in Brawley.

CCV saw there was going to be a need to plug in. Imperial County celebrated the first installation of a level two electric charging station where many city officials and members of the community joined.

It is the first one funded by the California Energy Commission Program with the help of General Motors.

There are only four other locations currently in Imperial County that hold EV chargers. With the goal that California has set to go all electric in less than 20 years and more people making the personal choice to save money on gas, CCV's executive director Luis Olmedo says the need is there.

"The Imperial Valley has the lowest ratio of EV chargers, electric vehicle chargers, we have to learn that acronym, EV, thats the future, chargers to people per capita," Olmedo said.

The California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project even provided a $4,000 rebate for installing the EV charging station.

CCV's Special Projects Manager, Christian Torres says the EV charger in Brawley is free to use as of now.

"We have community member that already stopped by to use the charger and they're saying they're so happy that they've already switched to electric because of gas prices right now," said Torres.

Torres say it might become more feasible for people to tap in to the electric market with the state and federal government subsidizing and providing incentives.

One local, Sophia, agrees and says she never sees herself going back to a gas fueled vehicle.

"I've been electric for four years and I went electric because it's convenient, cheap and reliable," Sophia said.

Sophia says it's way easier also not having to deal with all the maintenance issues.

Comité Civico's goal is to install 40 charging stations across Imperial Valley.

Imperial County is ready for the future.