The
city of La Mesa
is on track to complete its Electric Vehicle Charging Station Master Plan — a preliminary step in expanding EV charging infrastructure — by the end of this year.
The master plan was developed in alignment with La Mesa’s Climate Action Plan and in anticipation of growing EV usage in La Mesa, which is estimated to increase two-to-three fold by 2040, according to city spokesperson Greca Aguilar.
The project is led by staff members from the Public Works Department as well as consultants Kittleson & Associates, Inc.
Surveys created by the city, one for La Mesa residents and another for commercial businesses, to inform them of the project and patterns in travel, are set to close on August 1.
Aguilar said that thus far, over 150 individuals have responded, with most stating that the “foremost obstacle” to charging their vehicle is station availability, with the second-highest obstacle being the time and frequency of charging needed.
The EVCS plan will include recommendations for locations at both city facilities and publicly accessible private businesses where the city could install EV charging infrastructure.
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“The Master Plan is intended to provide a list of shovel-ready priority projects to the city that could then be included in future grant applications,” Aguilar said.
Such efforts are consistent with the city’s focus on environmental and public health concerns. Aguilar added that La Mesa is a founding member of the local Community Choice Aggregation effort, San Diego Community Power, which helps residents and businesses switch to cleaner energy.
The city also has increased the number of electric vehicles in its municipal fleet from three to six in 2024, and has 18 hybrid-electric vehicles in its fleet. The city’s
website
also outlines existing rebates and incentives for clean vehicles.
An interactive map was created as a part of the EVCS plan — Kittelson & Associates did so by analyzing datasets that “indicated where new charging stations should be prioritized,” according to Aguilar.
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The current finding is that the stretch of highway around Interstate 8, specifically from Lake Murray Boulevard to La Mesa Boulevard is where new charging stations should be prioritized (see western edge of that stretch in map above).
“EVs do not combust fossil fuels like traditional vehicles do, and therefore as more EVs are adopted less exhaust (is) being contributed to our air; by supporting the transition to EVs, the city is helping to protect our community members from breathing in noxious car exhaust and even potentially reduce child asthma rates,” Aguilar said.
