LA County ISD, the Pico Rivera Library, and WCVI are hosting a free family event focused on electric vehicle adoption.
Trusted nonprofits, public agencies, and local partners will be on hand to share valuable resources, answer your questions, and connect attendees with information on EV incentives and more!
Los Angeles County celebrates the installation of 8 Level 2 chargers are the Harbor Hills multi-family housing site
CTEP is pleased to announce that 8 new, publicly accessible Level 2 EV chargers are now online at the Los Angeles County Development Authority’s Harbor Hills 300 Court in Lomita, CA.
These chargers were installed using California Energy Commission (CEC) REACH Grant funds to advance equitable, accessible EV charging where it is most needed. This project reflects a strong partnership between the CEC, LACDA, Vector Energy Group, and PowerFlex working together to support California’s clean transportation goals.
Projects like this help ensure that residents in affordable and multi-family housing are not left behind in the transition to zero-emission transportation.
Harbor Hills EV charging site featuring newly installed N8W Level 2 chargers located within the LACDA residential parking area. The chargers are mounted on pedestal units with clear striping and designated accessible parking spaces to support ADA compliance and equitable access for residents and visitors.
The new Level 2 EV chargers installed at LACDA Harbor Hills were funded through the CEC Realizing Accelerated Charging and Infrastructure for Transportation Equity (REACH) grant program. REACH is designed to accelerate the deployment of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure in disadvantaged and low-income communities by providing state funding to offset capital costs such as equipment procurement, installation, electrical upgrades, and network commissioning. The program advances California’s broader transportation electrification and climate goals by prioritizing investments in communities that face higher pollution burdens and historically limited access to clean mobility infrastructure.
Through this grant, CTEP was able to deliver reliable, networked charging at Harbor Hills without placing the financial burden on residents or the housing authority, while supporting equitable access to zero-emission transportation options.
Los Angeles County celebrates a major milestone with new Level 2 EV charging stations at the Carmelitos public housing community, bringing accessible charging directly to residents.
On November 6, 2025, Los Angeles County celebrated a major milestone in clean transportation with the Charge Up Carmelitos event at the Carmelitos public housing community in Long Beach. The event marked the completion of new Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, bringing reliable and accessible charging directly to a community where residents can benefit most.
Hosted by the County's Internal Services Department (ISD) Clean Transportation & Energy Programs (CTEP) team, Powerflex, Southern California Edison, Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) and the William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI), the event brought together residents, community partners, local leaders, and industry representatives to highlight how collaborative, equity-focused infrastructure investments can support a cleaner, healthier future.
The newly installed EV chargers at Carmelitos are designed to serve residents, visitors, and LACDA fleet, making it easier to charge where people already live and spend time. For many households, access to at-home or nearby charging can be a key factor in deciding whether an EV is a viable option.
The Charge Up Carmelitos event emphasized that expanding EV infrastructure is not just about technology, it’s about access, affordability, and inclusion. Attendees had the opportunity to learn how EV charging works, explore clean transportation resources, and connect with organizations offering information on incentives, rebates, and sustainability programs.
The success of the Carmelitos charging project and event was made possible through close collaboration between public agencies and private partners. The chargers were installed through the Southern California Edison (SCE) Charge Ready Program, which helps reduce the upfront costs of EV infrastructure at community-serving sites.
ISD partnered with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), PowerFlex, and SCE to deliver this project, demonstrating how coordinated efforts can accelerate the deployment of clean transportation infrastructure in communities that need it most.
Executive leaders from each partner organization joined the event to share remarks, reinforcing a shared commitment to equity, sustainability, and long-term investment in clean mobility solutions for Los Angeles County.
Charge Up Carmelitos was both a celebration and a reflection of the County’s broader clean transportation goals. The event highlighted how infrastructure investments, when paired with community engagement, can build trust, awareness, and momentum around the transition to zero-emission transportation.
As LA County continues expanding EV charging across libraries, parks, housing communities, fleet facilities, and other public spaces, events like this play a critical role in ensuring that residents are informed, engaged, and included in the process.
The Carmelitos project represents another step forward in building an equitable, accessible, and resilient EV charging network—one that supports cleaner air, lower transportation costs, and a more sustainable future for all.
Read more about the event in the official press release:
On September 20, 2025, the Take Charge initiative hosted a Ride & Drive event at Coyolxauhqui Plaza in East Los Angeles, drawing more than 100 residents, community partners, and clean mobility advocates. The event gave participants the opportunity to experience electric vehicles (EVs) firsthand, learn about incentives and rebates, and share input on where chargers are most needed in their neighborhoods.
The event exceeded expectations with 15+ community partners tabling, offering resources, demonstrations, and educational activities. Highlights included test drives, bilingual outreach materials, a showcase of electric classic cars, and interactive surveys that collected valuable feedback on EV ownership barriers and charging access.
Participants expressed enthusiasm for EV adoption and emphasized the need for accessible charging close to home and work. Surveys collected both on-site and online provided critical insights to inform future charger deployment and program design. Feedback underscored not only the challenges—such as limited public charging—but also the excitement around EV affordability through available rebate programs.
'The chargers would really help our neighborhood. We've been waiting for something like this.'
'I didn't know there were so many rebates available—this makes owning an EV feel possible for me.'
'The event was welcoming and fun. The classic electric cars were my favorite part.'
'I brought my family today, and it's great to see these resources in our community. We need more events like this.'
'The turnout today shows people care about clean air and want more options.'
The success of the Ride & Drive event demonstrates the importance of pairing infrastructure deployment with community engagement and education. By meeting residents where they are—through test drives, accessible resources, and culturally relevant activities—Take Charge is building awareness and trust in clean transportation solutions. These insights will continue to guide how Los Angeles County expands EV charging access equitably across the region.
On June 21-22, 2025, the Los Angeles County Clean Transportation & Energy Program (CTEP) participated in Electrify Expo at the Port of Los Angeles, one of the nation’s largest electric vehicle showcases. Over the course of the weekend, our team connected with hundreds of EV drivers, future adopters, and community members to share resources, answer questions, and gather valuable feedback.
As part of our outreach, we conducted surveys with more than 500 attendees to better understand EV ownership trends, barriers to adoption, and where residents would like to see more charging stations. This feedback plays a direct role in shaping how and where Los Angeles County prioritizes future EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) deployment.
50%
of non-EV drivers plan to purchase within 2 years, demonstrating accelerating demand.
60%
of non-EV drivers plan to purchase within 2 years, demonstrating accelerating demand.
50%+
reported a lack of public charging access, underscoring the need for visible, reliable infrastructure.
100+ miles
of non-EV drivers plan to purchase within 2 years, demonstrating accelerating demand.
Public engagement is an essential part of building a resilient, equitable charging network. Insights from events like Electrify Expo help ensure County investments in EV infrastructure align with real community needs. This event is one of many outreach efforts CTEP conducts year-round to raise awareness about EV benefits, share information on available incentives, and support the County’s transition to a cleaner, more connected transportation future.
The feedback collected at Electrify Expo 2025 directly informs where and how Los Angeles County deploys EV charging infrastructure, ensuring our investments meet the real needs of residents and support equitable access to clean transportation.