Written by: Emma Brice
As we continue the journey of working to preserve the land we live and play on, we are excited to share a big step towards our sustainability efforts as a mountain community.
To all of the electric vehicle drivers out there, you can now charge your car on the mountain! We have 8 new universal EV charging stations located on Crystal Mountain Boulevard just past upper C lot on the left-hand side. They have the capacity for two cars to be plugged in at once and are compatible with any car. During the summer, the chargers are free for guest use and are first come, first serve. During the winter, they will continue to be free of charge, but will have a reservation system in place.
The addition of EV charging stations is big news for Crystal guests and Mount Rainier National Park visitors alike. Now, you can drive your electric vehicle further with your mind at ease. Stop by Crystal on your way back from the park for a quick recharge and take a scenic gondola ride to for a late lunch at the Summit House, and up-close views of Mount Rainier. Walk the summit ridgeline or explore the variety of hiking trails while you recharge your mind, and car at the same time.
The EV chargers are level 2 Flo CoRe+, with a charging range of 1.2kW to 7.2kW. The average time it takes a Tesla to charge with the 7.2kW charger is up to 8 hours, the perfect amount of time to get a full day of hiking, skiing, or riding in; charging your car while you charge the slopes.
While this initial introduction of EV chargers is a big step in the right direction, it is only the beginning as we continue the journey towards a more sustainable future. We encourage everyone to do what they can to take electric vehicles or other environmentally friendly methods of transportation such as the free shuttle in the winter, or carpooling with friends so we can work together to reduce our carbon footprint.
