Electrify America Pledges $200 Million for EV Infrastructure in California
Electrify America is planning to invest $200 million in California Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure and education programs over the next 30 months, the organization announced. This represents the third of four investment phases as part of its 10-year commitment of $800 million in the state, Electrify America officials said.
Additionally, the company will direct $25 million of the $200 million investment for an initiative in the City of Long Beach and the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles (Long Beach-Wilmington), for a “Green City” program. This initiative will have a specific focus on charging station investments for electric transit buses and medium/heavy-duty trucks located in or serving the community.
Electrify America representatives said it will focus the $200 million across three main categories: Infrastructure; Public Education, Awareness, Access & Marketing; and Green Cities. Additionally, Electrify America will strive to ensure that 35 percent of the investment is in low-income and disadvantaged communities, as guided by California Air Resources Board (CARB).
The California ZEV Investment Plan provides ultra-fast charging in more metro areas, as well as strengthens highway and regional charge routes while providing charging infrastructure and solutions for medium and heavy-duty fleets.
In addition to infrastructure, the investment will continue broad brand-neutral ZEV education and awareness efforts and development of the second Green City program in the Long Beach-Wilmington community. Electrify America would begin implementation upon approval by CARB and continue these investments through June 30, 2024.
“This is the next exciting phase of our mission to increase EV infrastructure and awareness in California as the state works towards its commitment to help make 100 percent of new passenger vehicles zero-emission by 2035,” said Giovanni Palazzo, president and chief executive officer of Electrify America. “This added investment will provide equitable access to expanded EV infrastructure, technology and services for communities across California, further supporting an electric mobility revolution across all regions of the state.”
The central focus of electric vehicle charging infrastructure investment will focus on building strategically placed charging stations in many of Electrify America’s existing metro areas, where electric vehicle (EV) drivers are expected to charge most often, the organization said. DC Fast Charging stations will be placed in retail locations but will also consider the needs of adjacent multi-unit dwellings, where Level 2 (L2) residential charging deployment is oftentimes challenging.
The new investment will also expand highway network DC Fast Charging stations, featuring charging power up to 350 kilowatts for capable vehicles, adding density along major routes and investing in regionally significant routes to new destinations including Joshua Tree National Park.
As part of the plan, the company will build off its more than $81 million investment to date in rural parts of the state, including the Central Valley.
Consistent with California’s broader air quality goals, Electrify America will invest in renewable generation for select stations as site-level energy management tools to help to reduce station operating costs and reduce the carbon consumption for EV recharging.
