City of Monterey discusses adding more electric charging stations

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV)- At Monterey's City Council meeting last week, city leaders discussed adding Tesla EV chargers to the Fisherman's Wharf parking lot, located at Washington Street and Del Monte Avenue. 

According to the city staff report, Tesla is requesting 17 parking stalls-- Fourteen of those spots would be fitted for Tesla vehicles. 

Trudy Liu grew up in Monterey but now lives in San Jose. She comes down to Monterey in her Tesla several times a month.

If Liu wants to charge her car, she drives several minutes away to the del monte shopping center to power up. She told KION that adding charging stations near the Wharf would be a benefit.

"The more chargers, the better," said Liu. "Sometimes, when we go to Tesla chargers, they're full. Especially with Teslas, they're more in count now. It's harder to find a charger at the time you're going in for charging."

There are 4 EV chargers in the downtown garages, but they are not owned by Tesla.

The city looked at putting the Tesla charging stations at the Downtown East and West garages. But those spots were a challenge because of their location and structure.

KION asked businesses on the Wharf about the possible EV charging stations.

Old Fisherman's Grotto CEO Chris Shake said he supports EV charging stations, but the proposed location is not an ideal spot.

"When you talk about 17 charging units, we don't want to look like a gas station," said Shake. "I think it would be an eyesore. Certainly when you have many other locations that are probably more convenient for the visitor as they're driving into Monterey."

But Liu said the charging stations would draw more people to the Wharf, which would help boost local businesses. 

"You can spend some time wherever you're at, which is great for the businesses," said Liu. 

The Monterey City Council will discuss the EV chargers at a monthly closed session meeting.