Los Angeles finally has its first fast charger for electric vehicles.
The 480-volt charger is located in the parking lot across from the Toy Factory Lofts downtown, along with a bank of ten 220-volt chargers.
For Nissan Leaf drivers like me—and Tesla drivers like Arnold Schwarzenegger—this means you can plug in and go from 0 to 100 percent charge in 30 minutes. The more common 220 volt chargers take about 8 hours for a full charge, and regular household current takes 14-16 hours.
This is the first fast-charger in Los Angeles, and the ninth in California.
Len Hill and Yuval Bar-Zemer, partners in Linear City development company, installed the chargers at the Toy Factory, a former warehouse built in 1924 by the land development arm of the Atchison and Topeka Railroad. Later it served as a toy factory. In 2004, Linear City, which also developed the Biscuit Company Lofts, converted the space in 121 condos.
The charging stations are one more amenity to a development that includes, “a market, restaurant, gym, art gallery, chocolatier, clothing stores, yoga studio, roof-top pool with infinity viewing deck, cabanas and fireplace, lower roof garden with innovative planting arrangements and a stainless steel barbeque, oversized hallways, a chic lobby enclosing a unique shipping container mail room, and three levels of interior parking.”
I called Bar-Zemer, who told me that he drives a Nissan Leaf, and has been looking for ways to add “green” and convenience to the company’s projects. He enabled residents to install raised bed gardens, as well.
(Foodaism plus: Linear City also owns Church & State restaurant and Little Bear.)
More details: Ecotality installed the chargers, and users must sign up for a Blink card in order to operate them. Right now you can juice up for free, but soon Bar-Zemer told me he expects the cost will be one dollar per hour for the 220v and a flat fee for the 480v.
The Jewish Journal will be doing a longer story on Hill and Bar-Zemer, who ALSO produced the indie comedy “Dorfman,” winner of Best Comedy at the 2012 Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival.
I’ve had a year of headaches and range anxiety over charging my Leaf, but at least now I know I can get a full, fast charge downtown.
The Toy Loft is at 1855 Industrial Street, Los Angeles 90021
Here’s a list of 480v Nissan Leaf Chargers in California:
1. May 2010, Vacaville, Eaton brand – PGE (public utility) open to public March 2011 only, free then, now private
2. Spring 2011, Cypress, Eaton brand – Mitsubishi (auto manufacturer) open to public, free
3. Fall 2010, Sacramento, AeroVironment brand – Nissan (auto manufacturer), private
4. March 2012, San Bernadino, Eaton brand – 7-11 store (retail public, private capital funds), public, free
5. April 2012, San Diego, JFE brand – SDG&E (public utility) private
6. April 2012, Palo Alto, unknown brand – 350green (retail public, public/private funds) public, fee
7. May 2012, Belmont, Blink brand – Volkswagon Tech Center (private / public funding) free
8. May 2012, San Ramon, Blink brand – (public / private funding) free
9.. June 2012, Los Angeles, Blink brand. Toy Lofts, downtown
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