California has been approving new programs through the California Public Utilities Commission and Charge Ahead Partnership in order to promote and improve EV charging availability throughout their state. The latest program, Transportation Electrification Program, is set to begin in 2025 with a $1 billion budget. The goal of this program is to change the structure of EV charging stations in California by incentivizing private EV charging stations. They also want to take some of the control utility companies have over EV charging stations away from the utility companies. Utility companies have most of the control over the electricity that drivers are using to charge their vehicles. In many instances, utility bills have been rising from the installation of EV charging infrastructure.

“Every state is taking slightly different approaches [on] what role the power companies are playing in it, or how they’re distributing federal NEVI funds,” he said. “California is maybe a decade ahead of most other states when it comes to developing the EV charging marketplace. They have been all in on EVs for years and years and they have been following what has become a standard road map for how you develop this.”

There are similar programs available, like the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program.  NEVI is a federal program that allows funds for EV charging infrastructure to be divided up between the states that apply for it and used at their discretion. This program allows states and the government to provide tax credits, grants, and other financial aid to those looking to invest in EV charging stations for their business or facility. Through these grants, EV charging is being made more affordable for upfront costs of installation.

Click here to read the full article, originally published January 6, 2023, by Repair Drive News.