Montgomery County is installing electric vehicle charging stations in 11 public parking garages and lots in Silver Spring, Wheaton, and Bethesda to help spur the use of electric vehicles. As reported by the Gazette,

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will monitor usage trends and plans to expand the program to other area parking garages and lots, said Jeremy Souders, acting chief of the Management Services and Property Development Section, under the department’s Division of Parking Management.

The stations operate like gasoline pumps, with users paying 13 cents per kilowatt hour. The total cost depends on the range of the vehicle and how charged it already is, Souders said.

The installation of charging stations will also help the county reach its goal of reducing petroleum use.

The county has a goal to reduce petroleum use by 20 percent over the next five years, and the Department of General Services plans to expand its electric vehicle fleet. The department now has five battery electric and 10 plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The county already has electric charging stations at several public buildings, including the executive and council offices in downtown Rockville. Private companies have installed some as well, such as at Tower Cos. buildings in Rockville and at The Blairs in Silver Spring.