The city of Rochester, NY, has started installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at seven city-owned parking lots and parking garages.

The city was awarded a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grant to accelerate the introduction of EV charging stations.

As part of the plan, a total of 24 parking stations will be installed at City Hall parking lot, Rochester Public Market, Port of Rochester, Washington Square Garage, Court Street Garage, Sister Cities Garage, and East End Garage.

"This is an exciting step for Rochester as we strive to increase our use of alternative fuel vehicles."

Work has already begun at the first location, City Hall, with crews placing the underground electrical conduits.

Mayor Thomas Richards said: "This is an exciting step for Rochester as we strive to increase our use of alternative fuel vehicles and decrease greenhouse gas emissions."

The first phase of the project is expected to be finished by mid-December, while the entire project is slated to be completed by April 2014.

Customers will be able to use the stations free of charge in the first year of operations.

The EV stations will be linked to an online network, where travelers can use their smartphones or the web to reserve a station and pay for the service.

The city had awarded the $229,000 EV project contract to Blackmon-Farrell Electric of Rochester, and the project’s total cost of $285,000 is largely being funded by state and federal money.