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Double Whammy: Broken Chargers and ICEd Spots in Baltimore

July 9, 2024 Lanny

Frustration at the Curbside in Baltimore City

Which is worse, a broken charger or arriving and finding it “ICEd“—blocked by a gas vehicle? I recently encountered a bit of both at a curbside charging spot on Washington Boulevard near Carroll Park in Baltimore City.

When I arrived there on a weekday afternoon, I discovered that out of the four available spots, two were blocked by ICE vehicles. To make matters worse, the two remaining spots had non-operational chargers. Of course, the spots by the functioning EVSE were the ones that were ICEd. Murphy’s law, I suppose.

It felt like a double whammy—broken stations compounded by inconsiderate parking. Such experiences can be a frustrating reality for EV drivers.

The EV Driver’s Dilemma: Out of Order or ICEd

This experience highlights a significant challenge for EV drivers: the accessibility and reliability of charging stations. When charging stations are out of order or blocked by ICE vehicles, the result is the same—you cannot charge your vehicle. While there might be debates over which scenario is worse, the frustration and inconvenience for EV drivers are undeniable. It’s a stark reminder of the gaps in the current infrastructure and the everyday obstacles faced by those who have made the switch to electric.

Public Spending and the Promise of Range Anxiety Relief

The situation is particularly disheartening considering the millions in public spending being approved by legislators and public utility commissions to fund the buildout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. One of the primary justifications for this massive investment is to alleviate “range anxiety,” the fear that a vehicle has insufficient range to reach its destination, which remains a significant barrier to EV adoption according to surveys.

The Need for Improved Infrastructure and Enforcement

To truly alleviate perceived range anxiety and make EVs a viable option for everyone, it’s not just about installing more charging stations. Ensuring these stations are functional and accessible is equally critical. This means regular maintenance to keep chargers operational and stringent enforcement to prevent ICE vehicles from occupying EV charging spots.

Baltimore City Considers Franchise Agreement with BGE for Public EV Charging Stations

August 21, 2020September 28, 2022 Lanny

BGE and the City of Baltimore are nearing an agreement to allow BGE-owned public charging stations to be installed at certain locations within the City. The Baltimore City Council introduced a bill this week that would grant a franchise to BGE to install and operate public charging stations on City rights-of-way and at certain park properties.

According to the 1st Reader text of Council Bill 20-0573 (copied below), the City would grant BGE a right to “install, operate, maintain, repair, replace, and remove electric vehicle charging stations at City-approved locations on City right-of-way and on Park Properties.” The initial term of the franchise is proposed to be one year with an automatic annual renewal for 25 years total.

Section 4 of the bill suggests that BGE shall pay Baltimore an unspecified franchise charge each year. The franchise charge can increase or decrease and the franchise can be cancelled by either party at the end of the initial or any renewal term.

The Maryland PSC Order No. 88997, issued on January 14, 2019, requires that utility-owned and operated charging stations must be located on property owned or controlled by state, county, or local governments.

Baltimore City Council assigned this bill to the Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.

Text of Baltimore City Council Bill 20-0573 1st Reader:

Electric Vehicle Charging Expansion Underway in Baltimore

July 28, 2015 Lanny

redwoodfour — Four new EV charging stations in the Redwood St. Garage in Baltimore. photo by @verastamps

Downtown Baltimore has eight new EV charging stations with plans to add about a dozen more. In May, the City Board of Estimates agreed to let a Baltimore-based company, Electric Vehicle Institute, Inc., install about 20 charging stations in city-owned parking garages. The agreement allows EVI to install and support the Level 2 charging stations for up to three years at no cost to the City. Now, those stations are beginning to appear. The photo above shows four of the EVI units installed in the Parking Authority of Baltimore City Redwood Street Garage.

Baltimore EVI — click map for details on new charging station locations.

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works is coordinating the project to place the stations where there is the most demand. See the six parking locations on the interactive map above. Some of these parking facilities have existing charging infrastructure that will be expanded. Other locations, such as the Marriott Garage at 405 W. Lombard St., will be getting their first charging stations. Initially, they all will be free to use.

Baltimore EV charging station EVI — photo by @verastamps

New Charging Locations:
Marriott, 405 W. Lombard St. (4 new, 4 total)
Fleet & Eden, 501 S. Eden St.
On-street parking at Light St. and E. Barre St. in front of the Royal Sonesta.

Existing Locations that are Expanding:
Redwood Street, 11 S. Eutaw Street (4 new, 5 total)
Arena, 99 S. Howard St.
Water Street, 414 Water Street

water st garage — Water Street Garage in downtown Baltimore is scheduled to get more charging stations.

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