Michelle Reid of Maple Valley just bought her black Nissan LEAF less than a month ago. The electric vehicle has almost 700 miles on it and it only cost her family about $10 in electricity to run it so far. She usually plugs in at home to re-charge, but now she has more options as the city launched charging stations in Renton on Tuesday.

Reid was one of several electric vehicle enthusiasts, city officials, local auto dealers, business and community leaders and representatives from ECOtality and Puget Sound Energy who participated in the event.

Electric vehicles lined up in the Renton City Center Garage and two were plugged in for a quick demonstration for the group. Then all headed to The Landing parking garage where additional blink charging stations have been installed.

“I’m really excited especially for the ones at The Landing,” said Reid. “That will be perfect for coming down to see a movie and go to dinner, plug in, get back home. No problem.”

A total of 15 stations are planned throughout Renton by the city by the end of this year. There are currently stations in the City Center Garage and The Landing and stations are planned for the Renton Community Center, next to City Hall and downtown shops.

The funding for the project is provided by a public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy called the EV Project and ECOtality.

ECOtality was given a grant from the Department of Energy to launch this program with $230 million total in six states.

It works in two ways. Nissan LEAF buyers can participate in the project by sharing information with the project and getting a free charger station installed in their home for free. Most of the installation costs are covered. And also for installations like the ones in The Landing garage, charger stations are free to commercial property owners with the project covering up to $2,250 per station.

Seven additional stations will be installed with funding from a Puget Sound Clean Air Agency grant.

“Renton really stepped up and got out, was very organized themselves early on this process,” said Rich Feldman, Pacific Northwest regional manager for  ECOtality about city officials interest in the project.

Mayor Denis Law reaffirmed the city’s commitment to green practices in his opening address to the crowd and also in a release.

“Renton plays an important part in the future of electric vehicles because of our location as a central transportation hub and regional stop for shopping, entertainment and recreation,” said Law. “These charging stations from ECOtality and the EV Project are one way we can demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and insure that electric vehicle users know they are welcome in Renton.”

Charging stations have been installed at McLendon Hardware and IKEA just announced their intentions to launch stations at their Renton store in a partnership with ECOtality.

“IKEA is committed to sustainable efforts here in Renton and across the globe, and it was very exciting to be able to attend an event that supported the City of Renton and the many people who have chosen a smaller carbon footprint by driving electric vehicles,” said Amanda Hobbs, local marketing and public relations for IKEA in Renton.

Local auto dealers, who carry electric vehicles, Younker Nissan and Good Chevrolet, are anticipating sales increases once inventory of the Nissan  LEAFs and Chevy Volts are available, a release stated.

“It’s important that this infrastructure is established and in place so that people feel more comfortable about buying a car like this and knowing that the resources are in place in their community and where they want to go to charge up,” said Alex Pietsch, administrator for the city’s department of community and economic development.