Energy Commission Celebrates National Drive Electric Week
The California Energy Commission, a strong supporter of driving electric, is celebrating National Drive Electric Week September 9 to 17, a nationwide celebration to spread awareness about the accessibility and benefits of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs).
The Energy Commission is the lead state agency working to invest in the infrastructure to charge these vehicles and advance a variety of medium- and heavy-duty electric technologies.
Electric vehicles of all kinds play an important role in California’s efforts to reach its ambitious climate and air quality goals, which will produce environmental and public health benefits and help create jobs. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. has set a goal of getting 1.5 million electric and other zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on California roads by 2025.
“The Energy Commission is pleased to invest in the infrastructure and technologies that are helping to drive the transition to clean, zero-emission electric vehicles in communities throughout the state,” said California Energy Commissioner Janea A. Scott. “These advanced electric technologies are powering everything from last mile delivery trucks to public transit and school buses to personal cars that are easy and cost-efficient to charge, and fun to drive.”
Through the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP), the Energy Commission has invested more than $80 million to support the installation of almost 8,000 charging stations throughout the state, according to the latest tracking progress report on zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure.#CalEnergy staff shows how easy it is to plug in & charge up an #EV. #NDEW2017 🔌🔋🚗⚡️@NatDriveElecWk events near you: https://t.co/SKh8dPbE1K pic.twitter.com/QlcTItaD8r— CA Energy Commission (@CalEnergy) September 12, 2017
These investments have supported charging stations being installed along highway corridors, in state parks and public schools—and at a parking structure across from Levi’s Stadium, where San Francisco 49ers fans can charge their cars while catching a game.
The city of Torrance installed chargers through the “One Mile, One Charger” project, which aims to ensure that PEV drivers are never more than one mile from a charging station. The Energy Commission’s support also helped the city of Burbank install curbside charging stations, providing a new and unique way of charging electric vehicles.
The Energy Commission has awarded more than $94 million in ARFVTP funds to support development and deployment of electric technologies in these vehicles, including in municipal and private fleets, public transit vehicles and school buses. These funds also support the adoption of freight vehicles and equipment through a variety of projects, including demonstrations at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles that will help improve air quality in surrounding communities severely impacted by air pollution.
The Energy Commission is helping to put Californians to work by supporting manufacturing projects, and workforce training and development throughout the state to promote adoption of these technologies.
Working with private and public partners, the Energy Commission will continue to support the transition to electric- and other zero-emission technologies throughout the state to provide more Californians the opportunity to drive - or ride - electric.
CA is a leader in the adoption of ZEV, & #CalEnergy is the lead agency supporting installation of #EV charging infrastructure. #NDEW2017 🚗⚡️ pic.twitter.com/JjjdTGx8D0— CA Energy Commission (@CalEnergy) September 11, 2017
