EVs may be perfect for city driving—but they aren’t always perfect for city living. City-dwellers without a parking garage or driveway often need to rely on public plugs, which can be inconvenient or far away. Using DC fast chargers frequently can get expensive, too. 

But having a Level 2 charger right on one’s block could make electric car ownership a lot smoother. Which is why San Francisco is looking to grow its infrastructure to 100 public curbside EV chargers by 2030. And it’s allowing residents to apply to get one on their street. 

Compared with some European cities, for example, the U.S. is behind the curve on curbside charging. Much of the focus and investment in the States has been on roadside fast chargers. Those are important, but they’re most valuable for long trips where charging quickly is paramount. With more Level 2 charging at the curb, cars could charge slowly for all those hours during which they’re sitting unused.