Charge Up Carmelitos Community Event: Expanding Clean Transportation Access in Long Beach
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.
A Community-Centered Approach to EV Charging
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.
Strong Partnerships Driving Impact
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.
Celebrating Progress—and Looking Ahead
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.
Learn More
Read more about the event in the official press release: