California’s Energy Commission (CEC) has approved a US$95m plan for clean transportation investments to expedite the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV).
The plan also focuses on closing an anticipated gap in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and increasing programme benefits to disadvantaged communities.
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“The drive to zero-emissions is more important than ever as California continues to be challenged by climate change and air pollution,” said CEC chairman, David Hochschild.
The 2019-2020 Investment Plan Update for the CEC’s Clean Transportation Programme (formerly known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Programme) allocates US$85.2m for ZEVs, as well as zero-emission infrastructure and related workforce development.
The plan calls for:
- US$32.7m for light-duty EV charging infrastructure
- US$30m for medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs and infrastructure
- US$20m for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
- US$2.5m for workforce development
- The investment plan also allocates US$10m for production of zero- and near-zero-carbon fuels
“This plan makes strategic investments in zero-emission fuels and technologies, including charging infrastructure, that will help the State reach its climate and clean air goals,” added CEC Commissioner, Patty Monahan. “We are tackling the chicken and egg problem of charging infrastructure and ZEVs, so electric vehicle drivers will feel more confident they can conveniently re-charge their vehicles.”
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By GlobalDataDespite considerable ongoing investments in public charging by the CEC, the State’s lead agency for fuelling infrastructure deployment, the agency estimates California will fall around 81,600 charging ports short of the 250,000 needed to support the State’s goal of 1.5m ZEVs on the road by 2025.
Among the solutions the CEC is promoting to close the gap are:
- Technologies which provide more effective charging
- Zero-emission car- and ride-sharing which make better use of charging infrastructure and provides disadvantaged and rural communities with access to clean transportation
- Streamlined incentives for charging infrastructure which leverage more private capital
Increases to workforce development investments, particularly in disadvantaged communities, as well as increases to ZEV investment also reflect recommendations by the Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group.
The advisory group advises the CEC and the California Public Utilities Commission about programmes which will help achieve clean energy and pollution reduction while being effective and useful in disadvantaged communities.
The Clean Transportation Programme was created in 2007 by Assembly Bill 118 to support the State’s climate change policies by developing and deploying alternative and renewable fuels and advanced transportation technologies. The programme has invested nearly US$830m to more than 600 projects covering a spectrum of alternative fuels and technologies.
AB 118 also created the Air Quality Improvement Programme, which the California Air Resources Board administers. The programme funds air quality improvement projects relating to fuel and vehicle technologies.
The bill also established an enhanced fleet modernisation programme for the retirement of high polluting vehicles, run by the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
