California regulator OKs $1.9B plan to expand zero-emission vehicle infrastructure

The California Energy Commission (CEC) on Wednesday approved a $1.9 billion plan to expedite the rollout of statewide electric vehicle (EV) charging networks and hydrogen refueling stations. 

This investment will serve to bolster infrastructure for light, medium and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) across the Golden State, with funding distributed over the next four years through the CEC’s Clean Transportation Program.

“Our clean transportation future is here with more than one in four new cars sold in our state being electric,” Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in a statement.

At least 50 percent of the ZEV infrastructure will be directed toward low-income and disadvantaged communities — those often hit hardest by air pollution, the governor’s office stressed.

The total $1.9 billion is expected to result in 40,000 new chargers statewide, adding to the almost 94,000 public and shared private chargers installed today, according to the CEC. 

“We need to make sure that this is zero emission refueling infrastructure for everybody,” Patty Monahan, the CEC’s lead commissioner for transportation, said in a statement.

“By investing a bulk of funds to benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities, the state is making sure communities most in need have better access to chargers and less pollution from trucks and buses,” Monahan added.

About $657.6 million will go toward light-duty EV charging equipment, $1.02 billion will support both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell truck and bus infrastructure and $130 million will bolster zero-emission port infrastructure, per the program.

Also included in the total is $5 million for ZEV workforce development and $46 million for other emerging opportunities.

Alongside the authorization of these funds on Wednesday, the CEC also approved the findings of a state legislature assessment that projected how much publicly available charging infrastructure the state requires to meet its long-term goals.

By 2030, 7.1 million EVs will need 1 million chargers, while 155,000 electric trucks and buses will necessitate 114,500 chargers, according to the assessment. Five years later, some 15.2 million EVs will require 2.1 million chargers, and 377,000 electric trucks and buses will need 264,000 chargers.