California Construction News staff writer
The California Energy Commission (CEC) hasapproved a $1.4 billion investment plan that accelerates progress on the state’s electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen refueling goals. These investments will help deploy infrastructure for light, medium, and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) across California, expanding the most extensive charging and hydrogen refueling network in the country.
Money will be available over the next four years and distributed to projects through competitive grants. Projects include direct incentive and rebate programs for businesses, non-profit organizations, tribes, and public agencies.
The plan details $1.4 billion in state funding over the next four years, with at least 50 percent targeted to benefit priority populations. The funding is part of the $48 billion California Climate Commitment, which includes more than $10 billion for ZEVs and ZEV infrastructure. The state has also received billions from the Biden-Harris Administration for clean transportation.
Funding will result in about 17,000 new light-duty chargers statewide. Combined with funding from the federal government, utilities and other programs, the state expects to reach 250,000 chargers in the next few years. In addition to the public network, the state estimates that more than 500,000 private home chargers are installed statewide.
“Today’s approval of the investment plan reaffirms California’s commitment to funding zero-emission refueling infrastructure,” said CEC’s Lead Commissioner for Transportation Patty Monahan. “The plan prioritizes clean air benefits in low-income and disadvantaged communities that need it the most. There is no doubt – ZEVs are here to stay in the Golden State.”
First created in 2007, the Clean Transportation Program is one of the first transportation-focused funding efforts established to help advance the state’s climate change policies. To date, $2.3 billion has been invested in projects supporting ZEV infrastructure, alternative fuels, and advanced vehicle technologies.
- Community Benefits: Awarded 63 percent of funding in disadvantaged or low-income communities.
- Chargers Installed: Installed or planned nearly 34,700 EV chargers.
- Hydrogen Stations Opened: Allocated funding for 96 public hydrogen fueling stations, 44 are open today.
- Car Charging Incentives: Created two block grant programs, the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project and Communities in Charge, to provide streamlined incentives for EV chargers.
- Truck and Bus Incentives: Awarded $100 million to 120 projects for truck and bus charging and refueling through the Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles Project.
- Zero-Emission School Buses: $500 million to put another 1,000 ZEV school buses on the road.
- Manufacturing: Funded 40 ZEV and ZEV-related manufacturing projects that support in-state economic growth.
- Job Training: Provided workforce training for more than 32,000 trainees and trainers, helping prepare workers for the clean transportation economy.
