There's no doubt Californians love their cars. The Golden State accounts for almost 10 percent of all car sales in the country, The Wall Street Journal reported recently. And anyone who's ever sat in one of Marin's infamous commuter traffic jams along Hwy. 101 can agree that the statewide fascination extends to our fair county.
If you're in the market for an electric vehicle, you'll certainly have your pick. With its laws incentivizing car manufacturers to go green, California has driven the push for eco-friendly transportation.
Electric vehicles can provide up to three times the power conversion compared to their gas-powered counterparts and boast an engine that operates more quietly and requires less maintenance, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To top it off, buying an eco-friendly car can net you a federal tax credit of up to $7,500.
Though electric cars are more energy-efficient, you can still travel up to three times as far in some internal-combustion vehicles. Another thing to consider is electric car batteries are expensive to replace and can take up to eight hours to charge.
Several car manufacturers offer eco-friendly vehicles, including Chrysler, General Motors, Honda, Ford, Nissan, Tesla and Toyota.
Some manufacturers are establishing their own charging stations hoping to lure potential customers. Tesla has built a network of six solar-powered charging stations from L.A. to San Francisco, according to Car and Driver.
Whether you're looking to buy an electric car or you already own one, Marin seems to be full of service stations that will keep you charged for your emissions-free commute, with one arriving earlier this month at the Mollie Stone's market in Sausalito. That brings the total in Marin to 14.
The Marin Independent Journal reported that there were 200 electric vehicles registered with the state's Department of Motor Vehicles six months ago. Today, there are 400.
Sure, you can charge your car at home, but why do so at your own expense?
Here is a list of local charging stations, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy. Stations offer Level 1 (120 volts) and Level 2 (240 volts) charging.
Inn Marin Hotel
250 Entrada Dr
Novato, CA 94949
Phone: 888-758-4389 415-883-5952
Electric charging types: Level 1, Level 2
BioMarin Pharmaceutical
105 Digital Dr
Novato, CA 94949
Phone: 888-758-4389
Electric charging types: Level 2
County of Marin - Exhibit Hall
10 Avenue of the Flags
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: 888-758-4389
Electric charging types: Level 1, Level 2
County of Marin - Civic Center
3501 Civic Center Dr.
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: 888-758-4389
Electric charging types: Level 1, Level 2
San Rafael West End Center
1815 4th St
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: 888-758-4389
Electric charging types: Level 1, Level 2
City of San Rafael - C Street Garage
900 C St
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: 888-758-4389
Electric charging types: Level 2
City of San Rafael - 3rd Street Garage
1116 3rd St
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: 888-758-4389
Electric charging types: Level 2
San Rafael Corporate Center Garage
775 Lindaro St
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: 888-758-4389 415-721-2222
Electric charging types: Level 2
County of Marin - Health and Wellness Campus
3260 Kerner Blvd
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: 888-758-4389
Electric charging types: Level 1, Level 2
Golden Gate Ferry Terminal
101 E Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Larkspur, CA 94939
Phone: 415-925-5571
Electric charging types: Level 2
The Club at Harbor Point
475 E Strawberry Dr
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: 888-758-4389
Electric charging types: Level 1, Level 2
Good Earth
720 Center Blvd
Fairfax, CA 94930
Phone: 888-998-2546
Electric charging types: DC Fast
Berg Holdings
2330 Marinship Way
Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: 888-758-4389
Electric charging types: Level 1, Level 2
City of Belvedere - City Hall
450 San Rafael Ave
Tiburon, CA 94920
Phone: 888-758-4389
Electric charging types: Level 1, Level 2
