3CE and Santa Maria partner on new downtown EV charging station

Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) and the City of Santa Maria are building a downtown EV charging station with five Level 2 ports and four Level 3 DC fast-charger ports; construction began in December 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2026.

Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) and the City of Santa Maria are advancing local clean transportation with a new public electric-vehicle charging station in downtown Santa Maria. The installation is part of a 3CE pilot program to own and operate EV charging infrastructure across the Central Coast and to study how public charging serves communities. The selected site sits across from the Santa Maria Public Library and City Hall and is near the Natural History Museum, County Courthouse, Town Center West shopping center, and a community park. Construction began in December 2025 and the project is expected to be completed in 2026. Key details: - The station will include five Level 2 charger ports and four Level 3 DC fast-charger ports, offering both longer-duration and faster charging options. - The site is located on a central downtown corridor near restaurants, shops, public facilities, and a well-used community park, providing visible access for residents, commuters, and visitors. - 3CE describes the project as part of a pilot to assess public charging benefits and to support EV adoption, with chargers to offer competitive pricing. - Work began in December 2025; project organizers say traffic along Cook Street is not anticipated to be disrupted, though sidewalk access may be temporarily affected during construction. Summary: The new downtown charging station is presented as a local investment in transportation options, business access, and air quality goals. The installation is part of a broader 3CE pilot to learn how publicly owned chargers can serve communities, and completion is expected in 2026. Undetermined at this time.