California to spend $768M on electric vehicle infrastructure
LOS ANGELES — California utilities will invest nearly $768 million to expand a network of charging stations and build other infrastructure for electric vehicles as the state moves toward a goal of 5 million zero-emission cars on the roads by 2030.
The California Public Utilities Commission voted 5-0 Thursday to pay for programs statewide over the next five years, with an emphasis on establishing facilities in disadvantaged communities where traffic and air pollution are often heaviest.
The funding includes $136 million by San Diego Gas & Electric Co. to provide rebates for as many as 60,000 customers to install home charging stations.
Pacific Gas & Electric will build 230 direct current fastcharging stations, for a total of nearly $22.5 million. And PG&E and Southern California Edison will spend a combined $580 million to support the electrification of almost 15,000 mediumand heavy-duty vehicles including transit and school buses, semi-trucks, forklifts and cargo equipment at ports.
“If we’re successful with this and other electrification efforts already underway, much of the nation will likely follow California’s lead,” said CPUC Commissioner Carla J. Peterman.
The utilities initially asked for $1 billion to implement the projects. After a series of workshops and hearings, the CPUC decided on a budget of approximately $738 million, with an additional $29.5 million for program evaluation.
The overall plan is a result of a 2016 CPUC order directing utilities to submit applications proposing projects aimed at accelerating transportation electrification across all sectors, from light-duty passenger cars to medium- and heavyduty fleet, transit and freight vehicles.
Edison’s Katie Sloan estimated its projects would lead to a monthly bill increase for customers of about 50 cents over a few years. After that, she said, ratepayers will see their bills steadily drop as the infrastructure is completed.
PG&E and SDGE did not immediately have estimates for whether their plans would increase monthly bills for customers.