California’s Sacramento County is bolstering the options for its electric vehicle drivers, as part of the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project, by setting up as much as $15.5 million in funding for electric vehicle chargers at qualifying local businesses and nonprofits.
The project, known as the Sacramento County Incentive Project, launched this week with funding provided by the California Energy Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Revenue from the project will be invested in the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program and further electric vehicle charger installations.
“With a growing number of car shoppers in Sacramento County choosing electric vehicles, it is increasingly important that fast charging be available at convenient locations, along the highways and at common destinations,” Andy Hoskinson, Center for Sustainable Energy senior manager for EV initiatives, said. “The increased rebates for disadvantaged communities are particularly significant as these neighborhoods are often more heavily impacted by traffic and poor air quality.”
There are currently more than 10,000 electric vehicles and almost 700 chargers in public locations in Sacramento County. Officials want to encourage those figures with rebates of up to $70,000 per DC fast charger or 75 percent of the total installation project’s cost. Businesses and public entities can also get up to $6,000 per connector on level 2 chargers. Up to $80,000 will also be given for DC fast chargers among disadvantaged communities, along with $6,500 for their Level 2 chargers.
There is an application process in place for businesses and other organizations to get funding.
“By supporting increased deployment of charging infrastructure in communities across California, CALeVIP is helping the state transition to zero-emission vehicles, reducing pollution from the transportation sector,” Janea Scott, vice chair of the Energy Commission, said.