By Lookout Staff

January 30, 2012 -- Some major Santa Monica destinations and numerous residences got new EV charging stations that should rev up the beachside city's reputation for sustainability.

Santa Monica Place, the Pier, the Civic Center and the Airport were among seven sites added by EV Connect, a leading provider of electric vehicle infrastructure solutions.

“We’re pushing forward on all fronts in Santa Monica to make this a plug-in friendly city,” said Dean Kubani, manager of the City's Office of Sustainability and Environment.

“We’re leading the way and proactively looking at all avenues to create infrastructure support for alternatively-fueled vehicles," Kubani says.

One of those who will benefit from the new charging stations is John O'Dell, a senior editor at Edmunds.com. O'Dell says the new stations will make it possible for him to commute to Santa Monica from his Orange County home in a fully electric vehicle.

“These Santa Monica stations will help make it possible for me to drive my cleanest car to work without worrying about whether I'll have sufficient juice to make it home," O'Dell said.

"As public charging stations become more common, EVs will become a viable option for more people," he added. "That's a good thing,”

EV Connect, which has an exclusive agreement with Fisker Automotive to install home charging stations, also hooked up Santa Monica households to the growing transportation infrastructure.

The Culver City-based company also is working on several state-funded infrastructure projects and views Santa Monica as a model city for its efforts to promote EV use.

 “We applaud the city’s focus on EV infrastructure and effort to remove barriers for future widespread EV adoption for those who live and visit their city,” said Jordan Ramer, CEO of EV Connect.