The City of Akron is ready for the future of the automobile. The city has installed vehicle recharging stations in five different parking decks within the city.  The stations are located in the O’Neils’ deck, Broadway deck, Citicenter Deck, Superblock deck and Cascade deck.

Motorists would not pay for re-charging but would have to pay for parking to enter the decks.

Akron City Communications Director Stephanie York says the charging stations are part of the city's Greenprint For Akron environmental initiative implemented by Mayor Plusquellic in 2007

The Mayor says the charging stations are located to reduce low battery concerns for owners of electric and hybrid vehicles and to permit visitors, residents and downtown workers to recharge their vehicles while at work, shopping or visiting downtown businesses.

News Release From The City Of Akron

Late last year, the City of Akron installed 5 AC Level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment stations within different parking decks within the city. The stations are located in the O’Neils’ deck, Broadway deck, Citicenter Deck, Superblock deck and Cascade deck. The stations can fully charge most electric vehicles in 4 to 6 hours. The only cost for the user is for parking. Signs will be posted at the entrances of each deck which house these charging stations.

“These five stations are located to reduce low battery anxiety and to permit visitors, residents and downtown workers to recharge their vehicles while at work, shopping or visiting our downtown amenities,” noted Mayor Don Plusquellic.

These stations are just another step in furtherance of Akron’s Greenprint. Specifically, on Earth Day, April 22, 2009, the City of Akron introduced a sustainability plan. This living document is the Greenprint for Akron. Greenprint for Akron creates an environmental partnership to foster a sustainable, eco-friendly community through education and leadership. Greenprint sets a vision for a sustainable community that contributes to climate and environmental protection which will create opportunities for a healthier quality of life and for economic growth. Use of electric vehicles and other alternative forms of energy are being reviewed and implemented within the city with primary focus on achieving the goals of this plan.

In 2007, Mayor Plusquellic launched a new initiative to create a “Greenprint” for Akron. The Greenprint targets the most cost-effective initiatives to help the City and community reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save on energy and operational costs, and utilize those savings as a springboard to help revitalize an economy hit hard by the recession.

Since initiating its Greenprint, Akron has become a leader when it comes to innovative solutions to environmental problems. The City is not only effectuating change in its government operations, but it is inspiring change throughout the community. The City’s most recent Greenhouse Gas Emissions Survey indicates a 13% reduction in government emissions from 2005 to 2009, well ahead of its plan for a 5% reduction by 2013.

Funding for the project was provided through a U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program grant through Clean Fuels Ohio and a 50% match was provided by the City of Akron. The design and installation of the stations was completed using City of Akron personnel.