Curbside charging pioneer it’s electric has installed two chargers as part of a new pilot program in San Francisco. The deployment is the result of months of collaboration between it’s electric and various city agencies. Data evaluation and lessons learned from the pilot will inform recommendations to establish a more permanent curbside charging permitting process.

The two curbside Level 2 chargers are open to the public, and feature a maximum power output of 7.6 kW. They are located at 55 Filmore Street, across from the local headquarters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the labor union whose members installed the chargers.

“We applaud it’s electric’s nationwide commitment to using IBEW electricians to install their chargers, and we are proud to host their first curbside chargers outside our IBEW Local 6 offices,” said a union spokesperson.

it’s electric partners with property owners to utilize existing electricity supplies, enabling the installation of compact chargers with no need for extensive street work or direct utility connections. it’s electric manages the installation, operation and maintenance of chargers at no cost to municipalities or building owners. In fact, the behind-the-meter connection offers property owners the opportunity to earn monthly passive income.

Building owners and EV drivers who want to see a charger on their block can join it’s electric’s waitlist.

San Francisco currently has 1,152 publicly accessible EV charging ports, and hopes to have 1,760 in operation by 2030. In March, the city welcomed Revel’s first West Coast charging project, a 12-unit DC fast charger plaza in the Mission. In 2024, Electrify America opened an indoor, 20-charger plaza in the SOMA.

“Making it easier to drive electric vehicles is a critical step towards achieving our climate goals,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “These curbside EV chargers are the first of many. By streamlining our permitting process with the new Emerging Technology Permit, we’re making it faster and easier to deliver clean energy to our communities.”

“San Francisco has run an impressive process to launch this pilot,” said Tiya Gordon, COO of it’s electric. “Our work continues, even after the ribbon is cut—we’re collecting and sharing data from this pilot with the city to help shape a comprehensive, citywide policy for broad, scalable curbside EV charging.”

Source: it’s electric