California has announced that it is investing $95 million into clean transportation with several goals in mind, including helping those living in disadvantaged communities get access to clean transportation. A 2019–2020 Investment Plan Update for the Clean Transportation Program was published a few weeks ago.
California wants to make sure that its citizens eventually use only zero-emissions vehicles, helping the state to reach its climate and air quality goals. Beyond the climate goals, the state wants to make sure all Californians are able to breathe cleaner air. The 2019–2020 Investment Plan Update for the CEC’s Clean Transportation Program also wants to help disadvantaged communities and help bridge an anticipated gap in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
David Hochschild, Chair of the California Energy Commission, says, “The drive to zero-emissions is more important than ever as California continues to be challenged by climate change and air pollution. Today’s action demonstrates CEC’s ongoing commitment to deploying the infrastructure needed to meet the demands of the state’s ever-increasing fleet of clean cars, trucks, and buses.”
The plan has a budget that covers zero-emissions vehicles, infrastructure, and related workforce development, the latter of which is important especially when it comes to aiding disadvantaged communities. Here’s how it breaks down:
- $32.7 million for light-duty EV charging infrastructure
- $30 million for medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs and infrastructure
- $20 million for hydrogen refueling infrastructure
- $2.5 million for workforce development
The remaining $10 million will help with the production of zero-and near-zer0-carbon fuels. CEC Commissioner Patty Monahan explains, “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. We are tackling the chicken and egg problem of charging infrastructure and ZEVs, so electric vehicle drivers will feel more confident they can conveniently recharge their vehicles.”
The CEC breaks down its focus on EV infrastructure by sharing an estimate that California will fall around 81,600 charging ports short of the 250,000 needed to support the state’s goal of 1.5 million ZEVs on the road by 2025.
Aside from incentives for charging infrastructure to help leverage more private capital, the plan also includes ride-sharing solutions.
This type of plan is definitely a well rounded plan that helps reach the general population as well as those who see financial obstacles as a primary reason why they won’t switch.
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