Public Electric Vehicle Charging

City Light Curbside Level 2 Charger

City Light Public Charging Network

City Light Charging Network Map

We've installed fast public charging stations and curbside Level 2 chargers across our service area - allowing you to get a full charge for most vehicles through City Light's clean electricity. And be on the lookout for new charging installations in the future!

Public Charging FAQ (English) or Public Charging FAQ (Spanish)

Help us understand your EV charging needs as we plan for new public chargers in our service area. Suggest a new location, or see what others have suggested.

Public EV Charging FAQs

If you are in need of assistance, call (888) 758-4389 and provide the station name and number.

Transitioning Level 2 Chargers

As we transition chargers on to the ChargePoint system, some chargers may be free to use for a limited time while we complete the maintenance. Transportation subsidies are covering the cost to charge at these stations. During this time, these please follow these instructions to activate a charging session:

  1. Press the white ON/OFF button to the right to activate the charger.
  2. Press and hold the button on the connector to extend the charger cable.
  3. Plug the connector into your EV. Your car will automatically start charging.
  4. The cable will automatically retract when unplugged. Please carry the connector back to the charger to prevent damage.

Level 2 Chargers

  1. To activate a charging session, select your payment method.
    • Pay by App - Download the ChargePoint app to set up an account or use a roaming partner app. Open the app and select the station on the map or search for the station by name.
    • Pay by Credit Card - Call (888) 758-4389 and provide the station name and number.
  2. After activating, press and hold the button on the connector to extend the charging cable.
  3. Plug the connector into your EV. Your car will automatically start charging.
  4. The cable will automatically retract when unplugged.
  5. Please carry the connector back to the charger to prevent damage.

DC Fast Chargers

  1. To activate a charging session, select your payment method.
    • Pay by App - Download the ChargePoint app to set up an account or use a roaming partner app. Open the app and select the station on the map or search for the station by name. Press “Start Charge” in the app. ChargePoint FAQs are available in the app, under Account then Help.
    • Pay by RFID Card - (ONLY AVAILABLE on ChargePoint brand chargers) Tap your ChargePoint RFID card on the RFID reader.
    • Pay by Credit Card - (ONLY AVAILABLE on ChargePoint brand chargers) Tap your contactless credit card on the reader.
    • Pay by Phone - (ONLY AVAILABLE on ChargePoint brand chargers) When using ChargePoint’s Tap to Charge, tap your phone on the reader.
  2. Plug the connector into your EV. Your car will automatically start charging.
  3. Press “Stop Charging” on the charger screen to end your session.

Level 2 Curbside Chargers

Curbside charging stations provide the public with access to Level 2 EV charging next in residential neighborhoods in Seattle. Anyone who drives an EV is able to park on the street next to the charger while charging their vehicle. The chargers are open to the public, available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. These chargers provide up to 9.6 kilowatts (kW), which can provide a typical EV with up to 30 miles of range per hour of charge time.

Pedestal Charger
Pedestal Charger

Steel Pole Charger
Steel Pole Charger

Wood Pole Charger
Wood Pole Charger

Direct Current Fast Chargers

DC Fast Electric Vehicle Charger

Direct Current (DC) fast chargers are the fastest charging option. DC fast chargers are rated by the kilowatt (kW) output. A 60-minute charge at a 50kW charger will deliver 50 kilowatt hours (kWh) which is equivalent to 150 miles. The costs to charge vary depending on location and time of use.

The cost to charge at a City Light EV charger depends on the charger type (Level 2 or DC fast) and time of day.

A typical charging session at a fast charger may take 30-minutes to deliver 20 kWh, and cost $4 - $7 depending upon location and time of use. 20 kWh can power approximately 60 miles of driving. The cost to charge is updated per department policy III-1102.

Transitioning Level 2 Chargers

As we transition chargers on to the ChargePoint system, some chargers may be free to use for a limited time while we complete the maintenance. Transportation subsidies are covering the cost to charge at these stations.

Fees are per kilowatt-hours (kWh).

DC Fast Chargers

Sunday

All Day - $0.22

Monday - Saturday

12 a.m. - 7 a.m. - $0.22
7 a.m. - 7 p.m. - $0.36
7 p.m. - 12 a.m - $0.22

Level 2 Chargers

Daily

All Day - $0.21

Users will pay by the kilowatt-hour (kWh) to use City Light’s chargers. Payment processing is managed by the network provider Shell Recharge (this will change in 2025) at Seattle locations and ChargePoint at our Burien and Shoreline locations. Users can activate and pay for a session by using either the network provider’s phone app, RFID card, or by calling the provider to pay by credit card.

Each charger will be equipped with a Combined Charging System (CCS) Combo connector, which are compatible with many fast-charge capable EVs. All fast charging sites will have at least one charger with a CHAdeMO connector. Some stations will also have a NACS connector. This allows as many different EVs as possible to charge.

Only EVs will be allowed to use the charging spaces, while actively charging. Electric vehicle charging will be time limited. Signs will be used to indicate maximum parking time limits.

Parking restrictions will be posted on signs at the charging station. Enforcement will be managed by the City of Seattle or local city jurisdictions within King County. Vehicles in violation of the parking restrictions may be fined or towed away at the owner’s expense. Chargers will include contact information for customer questions and payment by phone.

City Light has a responsibility to our customers to invest in and implement solutions that support sustainability, including transportation electrification. Chargers are being distributed equitably across our service area so that EV fast charging is accessible to all customers, especially in areas where the private sector is not installing EV infrastructure.

This program leverages City Light’s clean electricity and will play a critical role in helping the City of Seattle reach its carbon neutral goal by 2050. This program is part of Seattle’s Clean Transportation Electrification Blueprint, which focuses on delivering community-focused transportation solutions.

Expanding Our Network

Curbside Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging

Under this pilot program, City Light has installed 56 public Level 2 curbside electric vehicle (EV) chargers at 30 curbside locations throughout the City of Seattle. City Light is offering this service to provide access to EV charging for residents who normally cannot utilize off-street parking to charge their vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Fast Charger Replacements

City Light is working to replace Direct Current (DC) fast chargers for electric vehicles at five locations across City Light’s service area. These new fast chargers will enhance charging speeds, increase reliability, and provide some protection against repeated incidents of vandalism and cable theft.

Suggest a New Location

Help us understand your EV charging needs as we plan for new public chargers in our service area. Suggest a new location, or see what others have suggested.

Bring EV Charging to Your Business

Want to bring public EV charging to your commercial property? City Light can help! Our incentive program will be launching in 2025.

City Light

Dawn Lindell, General Manager and CEO
Address: 700 5th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34023, Seattle, WA, 98124-4023
Phone: (206) 684-3000
SCL_ExternalComms@seattle.gov

Seattle City Light was created by the citizens of Seattle in 1902 to provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible electric power to the City of Seattle and neighboring suburbs.