The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded California $122.9 million to build zero-emission vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure across the state for electric cars and trucks, including in Sacramento.
The Federal Highway Administration funding, announced Monday by Sen. Alex Padilla, is part of a zero-emission charging infrastructure grant program by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Reducing emissions from our transportation sector is a key component in reaching California’s ambitious climate and clean air goals,” said Padilla. “To facilitate the zero-emissions transition, we must rapidly deploy charging and clean-fueling infrastructure.”
California has roughly 90,000 public EV chargers as the state attempts to accelerate the public’s transition to electric vehicles. Last quarter, electric vehicles accounted for 25 percent of new car sales in the state.
Much of that infrastructure has been the subject of frustration by users, with drivers reporting broken chargers, long wait times and limited availability. That reality has left market experts concerned that EV adoption could slow down.
The infusion of federal funds will support six EV charging and other alternative fueling infrastructure projects in urban and rural areas across the state, from local public spaces and downtowns to residential neighborhoods.
Among the projects is an $11.63 million grant to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to install EV chargers at nine locations, five of which will serve disadvantaged communities.
That project aims to cut over 930 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, which is equivalent to removing roughly 180 gas-powered cars off the road per year.
The California Energy Commission will receive $55.9 million to establish 21 public charging stations and one hydrogen refueling station for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty semi-trailer trucks. This truck project will install at least 130 high-powered ZEV charger ports along heavily traveled routes in California and between California and Nevada, supporting the state’s freight transportation sector.
California cities will receive significant funding for EV chargers in underserved areas, including $15 million for 300 ports in San Francisco and $14.35 million for 44 sites in Santa Cruz. San Jose will also get $12 million to install 237 chargers at public facilities across Santa Clara County.
To establish its first public EV charging network, San Bernardino was awarded $14.06 million to deploy 101 chargers at 15 city-owned sites, including parks, community centers and municipal facilities.
Gil Tal, director of the EV Research Center at UC Davis, said this funding will help the state’s freight sector meet regulations from the California Air Resources Board requiring the transition to heavy-duty electric vehicles, primarily big-rig trucks.
“Heavy duty is critical,” Tal said. “You can’t have electric trucks without the infrastructure, and it’s important to have it to meet the advanced clean-truck requirements.”
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