Energy Commission Celebrates National Drive Electric Week
From September 8 to 16, National Drive Electric Week celebrations are taking place across the country to raise awareness about the accessibility and benefits of electric vehicles, like passenger cars, trucks, delivery vehicles, buses, motorcycles, port equipment, and more.
California leads the nation in adoption of electric cars—in fact, as of July, there are more than 421,000 on the road. The California Energy Commission is investing in the infrastructure to charge or refuel these zero-emission cars. The Energy Commission is also supporting the advancement of a variety of medium- and heavy-duty electric transportation technologies, and workforce training needed to get more of these vehicles on the road.
Many of these investments benefit disadvantaged communities, which are disproportionately affected by air pollution and other consequences of petroleum-powered transportation, and low-income communities to help ensure that all Californians have access to transportation with no tailpipe pollution.
“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 (ZEVs) in communities throughout the state,” said Energy Commissioner Janea A. Scott. “These advanced, zero-emission 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.”
In January 2018, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued an executive order calling for 5 million vehicles with zero tailpipe pollution on the road in California by 2030, as well as 250,000 charging stations and 200 hydrogen refueling stations by 2025.
As of June 2018, the Energy Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP) has invested nearly $80 million to support the installation of nearly 8,700 charging outlets at public and private sites throughout the state. These investments have supported charging outlets being installed along highway corridors, in state parks, and at public schools.
The ARFVTP has also funded the world’s largest network of open-retail hydrogen refueling stations for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. The Energy Commission has funded 64 hydrogen refueling stations, and 34 are now open retail.
Additionally, the ARFVTP-funded California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) is working with community partners to develop and implement regional incentive projects that support installation of charging infrastructure statewide. CALeVIP’s first incentive project was launched in Fresno County in December 2017. A second project launched in August 2018 throughout Southern California, with additional projects slated for other areas of the state.
ARFVTP investments have also supported the development and deployment of electric and hybrid-electric technologies in public transit buses and other fleet vehicles. The Energy Commission has funded demonstrations of electric freight vehicles and other sustainable technology at the ports of San Diego, Long Beach, and Los Angeles that will help improve air quality in surrounding communities that are severely impacted by air pollution.
Through the School Bus Replacement Program, the Energy Commission is also helping schools throughout the state transition from old, polluting diesel school buses to zero-emission electric buses or low-emissions vehicles. The program is funded by both the ARFVTP and California Clean Energy Jobs Act (Proposition 39).
Even when the country has stopped celebrating National Drive Electric Week, the Energy Commission will continue working to advance the state’s transition to electric and other clean transportation, helping California meet its air quality standards and ambitious ZEV adoption and climate change goals.
