PowerFlex, LA County ISD, and LACDA Expand Equitable EV Charging Access at Long Beach’s Carmelitos Community
PowerFlex, in collaboration EV Charger with the Los Angeles County Internal Services Department (ISD) and the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), has officially unveiled a new network of Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the LACDA Carmelitos public housing community in Long Beach. The project, which introduces 20 new Level 2 charging ports, marks a key milestone in Los Angeles County’s ambitious plan to install 15,000 EV chargers across County properties by 2035 — a strategy aimed at advancing equitable, clean mobility access for residents and local communities.
The milestone was celebrated during the “Charge Up Carmelitos!” event, hosted at the Carmelitos Community Center. The event brought together leaders from both public and private sectors, highlighting how cross-agency collaboration can accelerate sustainable transportation adoption. Ten of the newly installed chargers are open to the public and available for Carmelitos residents, while the other ten will power LACDA fleet vehicles, reinforcing the County’s commitment to reducing emissions from its own operations.
Beyond this installation, additional clean energy projects are also underway at Carmelitos — including DC Fast Chargers for an electric community shuttle and a solar-powered carport designed to provide renewable energy for vehicle charging. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how local infrastructure investments can create long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits.
“Today’s event is a powerful example of how public–private partnerships can deliver real, local benefits,” said Raphael Declercq, CEO of PowerFlex. “Working with LA County ISD and LACDA, we’re making EV charging more reliable and accessible for residents while building scalable infrastructure that supports the County’s broader clean transportation goals.”
Michael Owh, Director of the County of Los Angeles Internal Services Department, emphasized the importance of ensuring that decarbonization efforts are rooted in equity. “As the County’s energy lead department, our role is to ensure that our strategy reflects both environmental progress and social responsibility. The Carmelitos project is more than an EV charging installation — it represents the County’s dedication to prioritizing sustainable infrastructure in historically underserved communities. This initiative is paving the way for a more inclusive and resilient future.”
Echoing that sentiment, Minh Le, General Manager of the ISD’s Energy and Environmental Service, underscored the collaboration behind the project. “The successful execution of this initiative demonstrates the strength of our partnership with LACDA, PowerFlex, and the William C. Velasquez Institute. By deploying affordable electric vehicle technology, we’re advancing the County’s goal of providing cleaner transportation options for all residents. This community-driven model serves as a scalable blueprint for sustainable mobility expansion across Los Angeles County.”
For Emilio Salas, Executive Director of LACDA, the new charging stations are part of a broader sustainability agenda. “The LACDA is deeply committed to integrating sustainability into our infrastructure improvements. We’ve already installed solar panels at several public housing sites, and today’s launch of EV chargers at Carmelitos extends that commitment. This partnership not only enhances access to clean transportation for our residents but also benefits the wider community.”
The new charging stations were developed using PowerFlex’s advanced energy management technology and supported through Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready program. PowerFlex’s platform enables dynamic load balancing to optimize charging efficiency and reduce grid strain, ensuring reliable service while minimizing costs.
This installation is more than just a step forward in electrification — it reflects Los Angeles County’s broader effort to close the accessibility gap in clean transportation infrastructure. Public housing communities like Carmelitos are often disproportionately affected by pollution and limited by inadequate charging access. By situating chargers in these neighborhoods, the County and its partners are addressing both environmental justice and mobility equity.
Looking ahead, ISD and LACDA plan to expand EV infrastructure across additional sites throughout Los Angeles County. These projects aim to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable charging options that support residents, local fleets, and future community transit initiatives.
As the energy transition accelerates, initiatives like Charge Up Carmelitos! serve as tangible proof that decarbonization and equity can go hand in hand — fostering cleaner air, resilient communities, and inclusive access to the vehicles powering a sustainable future.
About PowerFlex
PowerFlex is a clean technology solutions company making the transformation to carbon-free electrification and transportation possible. Our adaptive energy optimization platform PowerFlex X™ monitors, controls, and co-optimizes onsite assets like EV chargers, solar, energy storage, and microgrids — reducing overall energy costs through patented algorithms that maximize distributed energy resources.
PowerFlex is the second-largest installer of commercial solar in the United States, with over 500 megawatts (MW) of total solar capacity plus 50+ megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage. Combined, our solar and energy storage projects offset 460,000 metric tons of CO2 each year. We also manage more than 50,000 EV chargers nationwide, making us the second-largest EV charging provider in the U.S. in terms of Level 2 port management.
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