My husband recently made the switch to an electric vehicle and let me tell you—it’s been an adventure. I love the smooth ride, the quiet drive, high tech experience and the fact that we are making a more sustainable choice. But one thing we quickly learned? Charging stations (and the lack of) are something you start noticing a lot. Whether you are planning a quick trip or a longer drive, knowing where to charge can make all the difference. Luckily, St. Tammany Parish is making it easier for EV owners to keep their batteries full while exploring all The Northshore has to offer.

Thanks to grant funding from Cleco and the Northshore Community Foundation, Adopt a Charger is installing electric vehicle charging stations throughout the parish as part of the Charge Up! Louisiana Campaign.

If you are new to the EV life like me or just looking for the best spots to charge up while you shop, eat, or play, here is a quick roundup of some of the convenient EV charging locations across the parish.

 

Car plugged into EV charger.

 

Abita Springs

  • Abita Springs parking lot near town marquee – Three EV charging stations available for public use.
  • Abita Brew Pub – Two EV charging stations for a quick top-up while enjoying local brews and bites.

 

Covington & Folsom

  • Rouses Covington – make your groceries and charge up at the same time.
  • Southern Hotel – charging station for guests only.
  • Target Covington – Several EV charging stations available while you shop.
  • The Giddy Up – enjoy a coffee while you charge at this Folsom favorite.

 

Mandeville

  • Pelican Park – New EV charging stations with Tesla and J-Plug compatibility through the partnership with Cleco Power, Adopt a Charger, and the Northshore Community Foundation. Free charging is available for the next three years.
  • Rouses Mandeville – Close to the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.
  • Whole Foods Mandeville – convenient EV charging stations perfect for a grocery run or a snack stop.

 

Slidell

  • Fremaux Town Center – Several EV charging stations make it easy to power up while browsing your favorite stores.
  • Slidell City Parks – Thanks to the Charge Up! Louisiana initiative, Slidell has recently partnered with Adopt a Charger, Cleco, and the Northshore Community Foundation to install six Level 2 charging stations (240 volt, where drivers can add ~20 miles of range per hour) at John Slidell Park, Fritchie Park, and Heritage Park. These fee-free stations will be available for at least three years to raise awareness of EVs and promote electric vehicle tourism.

Slidell is conveniently located near Interstates 59, 10, and 12, making it an ideal hub for EV drivers. Whether you are heading across the Northshore or beyond, you can have confidence knowing there are plenty of spots to charge along the way.

 

Madisonville

  • Maritime Museum Louisiana – A couple of EV charging stations to enjoy while you step back in time with maritime history.
  • Rusty Pelican (Coming Soon) – New EV charging stations will be installed at Rusty Pelican locations in Madisonville and Mandeville as part of Charge Up! Louisiana.

 

Want to help expand EV charging access?

Adopt a Charger is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in March 2011 to accelerate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles by broadening the charging infrastructure. Their unique approach matches a sponsor with a host site at popular public destinations like parks, colleges, museums, and beaches.

Interested in adding a site? Contact kitty.adams@adoptacharger.org to learn more.

 

As this technology rapidly grows, before you venture out, check ahead of time (before traveling) using your favorite EV drivers app to determine what type of chargers are at each location.