Charge Your Electric Car in Santa Cruz

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.

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, Santa Cruz County is full of service stations—including seven in Santa Cruz—that will keep you charged for your emissions-free commute.   

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.

• Ecology Action
  877 Cedar St
  Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  Phone: 888-758-4389
  Electric charging types: Levels 1, 2
• Soquel & Front Garage
  601 Front St
  Santa Cruz, CA 95061
  Phone: 831-420-5184
  Electric charging types: Levels 1, 2
• Santa Cruz County
  691 Ocean St
  Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  Phone: 888-758-4389
  Electric charging types: Levels 1, 2
• Staff of Life Natural Foods
  1266 Soquel Ave
  Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  Phone: 831-423-8632, 888-758-4389Electric charging types: Levels 1, 2
• Santa Cruz Nissan
  1616 Soquel Ave
  Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  Phone: 831-426-5100Electric charging types: Level 2
• Walgreens1718 Soquel Ave
  Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Phone: 800-663-5633
  Electric charging types: Level 2
• UC Santa Cruz - West Parking
  1156 High St
  Santa Cruz, CA 95064 Phone: 831-502-7341
  Electric charging types: Levels 1, 2