California Pushes Electric Vehicle Projects

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved 15 pilot projects aimed at helping to accelerate electric vehicle adoption.

“These investments are the first of their kind,” said Commissioner Carla J. Peterman, who is assigned to the proceeding. “These projects are aimed at maximizing benefits to disadvantaged communities by catalyzing electrification of buses, trucks, and other transportation vehicles in locations that can have the biggest impact on air quality standards.”

The proposed projects come from California’s three largest electric utilities and will cost approximately $41 million

CPUC’s decision approves, with modifications, four Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) projects, five Southern California Edison (SCE) projects, and six San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) projects designed to speed adoption of electric vehicles, improve air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The projects include electrification of school buses, delivery trucks, airport/seaport equipment, truck stops, and commuter locations. Other projects include the installation of fast charging for urban locations and incentives for car dealerships.  Additionally, $1.7 million will be set aside for evaluation of the projects upon their completion.

In 2016, the CPUC directed the investor-owned utilities to submit applications proposing projects aimed at accelerating transportation electrification across all sectors, from light-duty passenger cars to medium- and heavy-duty fleet, transit, and freight vehicles. PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E proposed the priority review projects approved today – pilot programs of no more than $4 million for each program and no longer than one year to implement.

California Senate Bill (SB) 350 sets forth 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets to be achieved through a variety of measures, including widespread transportation electrification.