Hartsfield-Jackson to get 300 electric vehicle chargers

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport will eventually have 300 electric vehicle chargers, including 100 by the end of this year, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has pledged.

"There are going to be more and more electric vehicles on the road," Reed said. "We think it's an important signal-sender to our own residents and also to our customers about how we feel about sustainability." The city of Atlanta previously announced plans to launch a municipal fleet of electric vehicles.

The 100 charging spots to be installed at the world's busiest airport by the end of the year include "Level 1" and "Level 2" chargers spread around the domestic terminal North and South parking garages and the international terminal short-term and long-term parking garages.

"It's going to be an investment from the airport," Reed said.

Other charging spots will be installed at the airport's technical support campus and in maintenance, where airport workers could use them.

Some private off-airport lots for travelers-- including Peachy Airport Parking off I-85 South on the way to the domestic terminal and Fast Park & Relax near the international terminal -- already offer electric vehicle charging

Other spots near the airport and around the city allow electric vehicle drivers to recharge. But Hartsfield-Jackson's own public parking lots and garages have not had official electric vehicle charging stations.

Airport officials last year said they planned to add 18 charging stations to new parking decks to be built in coming years. The new plan from the mayor's office expands and speeds up that effort.