City of Palo Alto, CA
12/11/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/11/2025 17:42
Palo Alto Receives Gold Designation for Electric Vehicle Readiness
Palo Alto Receives Gold Designation for Electric Vehicle Readiness
Published on December 11, 2025
The United States Department of Energy recognized the City of Palo Alto as a top city in the nation to embrace electric vehicles (EVs), receiving their Charging Smart Program Gold-level designation.
Palo Alto has made electric vehicle use and charging faster, easier, and more affordable and accessible to all, through its programs supporting residents, businesses, non-profit organizations and visitors. This designation recognizes the City as a leader advancing and expanding efficient EV charging for robust planning, streamlined permitting, community programs, and fleet and infrastructure investments. The City manages a fleet of 36 electric vehicles including the first Rivian police all-electric police cruiser. Plus, GreenWaste of Palo Alto uses an electric waste hauler truck in its service. 1 in 5 Palo Alto households drive an EV and City programs make it easy to charge at home, at an apartment or at City garages.
Resources for EV Charging
Whether you're thinking about purchasing, leasing or renting an EV, charging shouldn't be a barrier. All EVs can be charged from a regular 120-volt outlet. The City's online tools provide simple steps to install EV charging equipment, find incentives, and view frequently asked questions that help you electrify your drive. If you live in an apartment building or rent your home, use the map below to find convenient locations to charge.
Multi-family Property Owners
The City offers support for multi-family properties to install EV charging infrastructure. Receive up to $80,000 for installing shared or assigned EV chargers, plus up to $100,000 in additional incentives for an electric service connection (transformer) upgrade to support your EV charging installation.
Charging at Multi-Family Properties
Charging in Palo Alto Through Public Charging
With over 120 public charging ports, the City makes charging on the go a reality.
| Location Name | Address | Number of Level 2 Ports |
| Bryant Street Parking Garage | 445 Bryant Street | 14 |
| Cambridge Parking Garage | 475 Cambridge Avenue | 10 |
| City Hall Parking Garage | 250 Hamilton Avenue | 13 |
| High Street Parking Garage | 528 High Street | 8 |
| Mitchell Park Library | 3700 Middlefield Road | 6 |
| Palo Alto Junior Museum | 1451 Middlefield Road | 6 |
| Rinconada Library | 1213 Newell Road | 3 |
| Sherman Parking Garage | 350 Sherman Avenue | 33 |
| Ted Thompson Parking Garage | 275 Cambridge Avenue | 8 |
| Webster Street Parking Garage | 520 Webster Street | 20 |
| Total | 121 Ports |
Note: This map may not display correctly in all browsers. If you are unable to view it, please try opening this page in another browser.
80x30: Palo Alto's Community Goal
The City's Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) guides the City's work and our collective commitment to reducing green-house gas emissions by 80% by 2030. This plan also guides EV and mobility strategies, seeking to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by increasing EV adoption through developing public and private charging networks.
Other Resources
Learn more about Sustainability & Climate Action
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City of Palo Alto, CA published this content on December 11, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 11, 2025 at 23:42 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]