Pushing EV adoption and prioritising underserved communities for a sustainable future, California greenlights $1.4 billion to add 17,000 EV chargers across the state.
On Thursday, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved a $1.4 billion plan to install nearly 17,000 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and hydrogen refuelling facilities. Over the next four years, the funds will be allocated to various projects across the state through a competitive grants process.
Currently, California has approximately 152,000 public and shared private chargers, with expectations to expand this number to 250,000 in the coming years. Additionally, there are around half a million private home chargers across the state.
A key aspect of the investment plan is that at least 50% of the funds will be directed towards ‘priority populations,’ according to Patty Monahan, CEC’s lead commissioner. These are low-income and disadvantaged communities that face multiple pollution challenges and lack the resources to invest in sustainable technologies.
This initiative is part of California’s broader $48 billion climate budget, which allocates over $10 billion specifically for zero-emission vehicles and their associated infrastructure.
The state has also received support from the Biden-Harris administration to promote clean transportation.
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed that expanding the charging network in underserved neighbourhoods is essential for achieving the state’s clean car future. He emphasised that with this funding, combined with private sector involvement, California is building a more extensive and reliable EV charging network that ensures accessibility for all residents.
As EV sales continue to grow across the US, supported by federal incentives, there has been some political debate about the future of these incentives. In California, Newsom has indicated that if federal EV tax credits are eliminated, the state could propose a new version of its Clean Vehicle Rebate Programme, which previously helped fund over 594,000 EV purchases and leases.
The push for EV adoption is gaining momentum, with EV sales accounting for nearly 9% of US light-duty vehicle sales as of the third quarter of 2024.
