Pasadena Gains Recognition for EV Charging Infrastructure

The utility's new designation helps improve local charging access and provides residents with paths to save on home energy.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Bold vector editorial illustration of a modern electric vehicle charging pedestal standing in a bright municipal parking lot. — Pasadena Water and Power has been awarded a Silver Charging Smart designation for its success in expanding local electric vehicle charging infrastructure. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Pasadena Water and Power has earned a Silver designation from the federally funded Charging Smart program for its efforts to expand local electric vehicle infrastructure. The utility currently manages 162 public charging stations across 13 sites in the city.

Why it matters

This recognition signals that Pasadena has adopted standardized best practices to streamline EV deployment and improve public access to charging. These efforts help expand reliable infrastructure to support citywide air quality goals for residents.

Pasadena now operates 162 public charging stations across 13 sites. The utility also offers rebates for electric vehicles and home chargers that can reduce solar upfront costs by an average of 20% to 30%.

The players

Pasadena Water and Power

The municipal utility provider serving Pasadena, responsible for managing local water, power, and charging infrastructure.

U.S. Department of Energy

The federal agency that funds and oversees the Charging Smart program to advance national electric vehicle infrastructure.

American Public Power Association

A national organization that represents community-owned utilities and administers cybersecurity certification programs.

The details

The Charging Smart program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, provides a framework of best practices that utilities adopt to accelerate EV adoption. Pasadena also recently secured a cybersecurity designation from the American Public Power Association, which evaluated the utility's internal controls, governance, and incident response capabilities to ensure the reliability of its power systems.

The designation was officially recognized on October 28, 2026.
A virtual Solar Power and Battery 101 workshop will take place on November 5, 2026, at 6 p.m.

The Home Front

Pasadena's designation aligns with a national shift toward standardizing municipal charging infrastructure to meet climate and grid reliability goals. This follows a broader trend of local utilities adopting vetted governance and technology frameworks to manage the growing electrification of residential transportation.

If you are considering an electric vehicle, check the utility's official portal to see if you qualify for current rebates on chargers or solar installations. You can verify the locations of all 162 public charging stations to plan your neighborhood travel accordingly.

The takeaway

Reliable public charging and available rebates can significantly lower the barrier to home electrification and solar integration. Review current rebate opportunities at PWPweb.com/EV to ensure you are maximizing available savings on your home energy projects.

What happens next

Pasadena Water and Power will host a virtual Solar Power and Battery 101 workshop on November 5, 2026, at 6 p.m. for residents interested in home energy improvements.