National Grid planning 30 more places to plug in electric cars, including Chili’s restaurants

By Erin Ailworth, Globe Staff

Utility company National Grid is installing more than 30 new electric vehicle charging stations in Massachusetts, adding to the state’s growing network of places where such cars can plug in.

There are currently about 45 charging stations in Massachusetts, according to the US Department of Energy. National Grid said the new locations should be ready to use by the end of the month.

The stations are being built as part of “ChargePoint America,” a program run by Coulomb Technologies, a California developer that makes the charging stations. Several of the stations will be in Worcester and Rockland, and others will be set up at select 99 Restaurants and Chili’s Grill and Bar locations. National Grid said it is funding the installations. Partners at host locations will pay for the electrictiy used to charge cars.