Charge Your Electric Car Near Brentwood

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, Los Angeles County is full of service stations—including several near Brentwood—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.

• City of Santa Monica - Montana Avenue
  1101 Montana Ave
  Santa Monica, CA 90403
  Phone: 310-458-8516
  Electric charging types: Level 2
  
  
• Toyota of Santa Monica
  801 Santa Monica Blvd.
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Phone: 310-394-6744
  Electric charging types: Level 2
  
  
• Santa Monica Place Mall Garage #7 Civic Center - ClipperCreek
  395 Broadway
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Phone: 310-458-8516
  Electric charging types: Level 2

• Santa Monica Place - Garage #7
  328 Santa Monica Pl.
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Phone: 888-758-4389
  Electric charging types: Level 1, Level 2
  
  
• Whole Foods Market
  2201 Wilshire Blvd.
  Santa Monica, CA 90403
  Phone: 888-998-2546
  Electric charging types: Level 2
  
  
• Saint John's Medical Plaza
  1301 20th St.
  Santa Monica, CA 90404
  Phone: 888-998-2546
  Electric charging types: Level 2
  
  
• City of Santa Monica Pier - ChargePoint
  200 Santa Monica Pier
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Phone: 888-758-4389
  Electric charging types: Level 1
  
  
• City of Santa Monica City Hall
  1685 Main St.
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Phone: 310-458-8411
  Electric charging types: Level 2
  
  
• City of Santa Monica - Civic Auditorium Solar Port
  1855 Main St.
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Phone: 310-458-8516
  Electric charging types: Level 2