A common argument against electric cars is the lack infrastructure to support them. All those gas stations didn’t pop up overnight though. Houston, Texas is taking the first steps to installing its own network of public and private charging stations.

The network is being installed by a private firm, NRG Energy. By the end of 2011, they hope to have between 50 and 150 public charging stations installed. This is just in time for the scheduled rollout of the Ford Focus Electric. The charging stations will be placed in business districts, supermarkets, by condos and apartments, and in other conspicuous locations. Many of the charging stations will be of the Stage 2 and 3 variety. That is enough juice to charge most electric vehicles in just a half hour.

This isn’t just a free service though. NRG Energy is setting up an online system called evGo. For a three-year contract and $89 a month, you get unlimited home charging (electricity included) as well as unlimited access to all the public charging stations. This also supposedly includes the cost of the home charging station. That is about the cost of three fill-ups, depending on what and how you drive. Good news for the electric car front, and in the heart of domestic oil country too!

Source: Inhabitat