Tesla is teaming up with the city of Pasadena to build the largest electric vehicle super-charging network in the western United States.

The project will sit atop a parking garage near the city’s convention center and two major shopping districts.

The leading seller of electric cars, also known for its banks of exclusive charging stations along Interstate 5, will install 24 fast-charging plugs and lay the conduit for an additional 20 fast-chargers for other EVs on the roof level of a city-owned parking garage at 155 E. Green St., located on the northwest corner of Marengo Avenue and Green, according to Margie Otto, spokesperson for Pasadena Water and Power.

Completion of the project — expected by the end of this year — will establish 44 Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) in one place, creating the largest public-access fast charger grouping in any urban area in the west coast and possibly in the nation, Otto said.

A DCFC plug will provide 80 percent of an electric car’s battery power in less than 30 minutes, she said. Charging rates have yet to be determined.

“We know it is an emerging trend,” Otto said of electric car ownership in California. “Part of getting consumers to jump on board with electric vehicles is making sure they have confidence the infrastructure is going to be there.”

Besides installing its own fast-chargers, Tesla has agreed to provide the electrical infrastructure to enable the Pasadena utility to install 20 city-owned fast chargers, a $140,000 capital cost savings, according to a report from PWP submitted to the Municipal Services Committee on Feb. 26.

The Marengo Charging Plaza will be placed on the rooftop level, which is at best half full during the daytime. None of the spaces to be used for electric cars are currently assigned, the report said. Otto said the charging area would occupy about one quarter of the spaces on that level. The entire garage proves 715 parking spots on five levels, including Level 2 chargers on the lower level.

“I think it is phenomenal that Pasadena is doing this. It will be a real quill in their hat,” said Patrick Terrill, a resident of Atwater Village who is working with the city of Los Angeles to add fast chargers. He said Burbank’s Town Center Mall has 20 DCFCs on the rooftop of a public parking garage.

Pasadena planners say the Marengo Charging Plaza would attract EV drivers to eat lunch or dinner or shop at the Paseo Colorado shopping mall and the Old Pasadena retail district while waiting for their charge. The structure also is very close to the Pasadena Convention Center, which hosts numerous events for out-of-town visitors and residents.

The city’s utility estimates it will see $500,000 to $750,000 in additional revenues from electrical use just from the Tesla-only chargers.

Otto said the unique charging plaza coincides with the city’s efforts to attract more zero-emission vehicles. Since last year, the city has awarded 500 rebates (ranging from $250-$750) to those residents who bought or leased an electric vehicle, Otto said.

The city wants to reduce both greenhouse gases and smog-forming emissions as part of its climate action plan. The city also supports former Gov. Jerry Brown’s goal to reach 250,000 public charging stations in the state by 2025 and see 5 million zero-emission vehicles on the roads by 2030.

The project plans go before the Pasadena City Council for approval on Monday.