Kaiser Permanente Installs EV Charging Stations
17 August 1998
Kaiser Permanente Installs EV Charging Stations
LOS ANGELES--Aug. 14, 1998--Kaiser Permanente demonstrated its commitment to clean air and safeguarding the health of Southland residents by becoming the first business in Woodland Hills to open electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Kaiser Permanente is installing charging stations at five of its medical centers in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the Los Angeles Environmental Affairs Department and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC).
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Laura Chick and the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce helped Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center celebrate the opening of its two charging stations. The event featured a display and the opportunity to test drive several electric cars, including a Chrysler EPIC Minivan, a Toyota RAV4 and the General Motors EV1.
EV drivers can charge their zero-tail-pipe-emission vehicles in the Woodland Hills Medical Center parking structure, free of charge. The MSRC provides funding for the charging stations as part of its Quick Charge -- Electric Vehicle Corridor Communities Program.
Other Kaiser Permanente medical centers that have or will install charging stations include the Kaiser Sunset, West Los Angeles, Panorama City and Harbor City locations.
"DWP is proud to 'lead the charge' to provide infrastructure for the use of EVs," said DWP General Manager S. David Freeman. "We are working with partners like Kaiser to install increasing numbers of charging stations in the city to demonstrate that EVs are not just a dream, but a reality, and that they are viable and quite useful for many consumer and business transportation purposes."
DWP is spearheading the Quick Charge L.A. program, along with the city's Environmental Affairs Department (EAD).
EAD General Manager Lillian Kawasaki said: "Our dependence on gasoline- and diesel-powered cars, trucks and other forms of transportation has contributed significantly to a very serious air- pollution problem in the Los Angeles region.
"Cooperative efforts between government and industry, such as Quick Charge L.A., that encourage the use of EVs represent a key to safeguarding the health of future generations. Private companies that participate in the program, such as Kaiser Permanente, deserve a tremendous amount of credit for showing such a strong commitment to innovative solutions to our pollution problem."
Mobile sources account for more than 60 percent of the air pollution in the Los Angeles basin, while electric transportation is virtually emission free, she said.
Through programs such as Quick Charge L.A., DWP and EAD are working with private companies and public agencies to install a network of 200 new charging stations at more than 40 locations.
According to Freeman, the goal is to provide EV drivers with access to free charging for their vehicles at a variety of locations, such as entertainment centers, shopping malls, public parking garages, university campuses, city facilities and medical facilities.
Kaiser Permanente staff, members and community residents may charge their electric vehicles at the following medical center locations: 5601 DeSoto Ave., Woodland Hills, and 4867 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles.
Within the next two months, charging stations will be available at Kaiser Permanente's medical centers at 6041 Cadillac Ave., Los Angeles; 13652 Cantara St., Panorama City; and 25825 S. Vermont Ave., Harbor City.
For more information on electric vehicles or the Quick Charge program, contact the DWP at 800/552-2334, or visit its Web site at www.ladwp.com.