A rebate project to increase access to electric vehicle (EV) chargers throughout Sacramento County launched April 4, 2019, with up to $15.5 million in funds available for qualifying local businesses and nonprofit organizations.
The rebates will be available through the Sacramento County Incentive Project to install both commercial-grade Level 2 chargers and high-powered DC fast chargers. The project is an initiative of the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP), which works with local community partners to develop and implement regional incentive projects for charging infrastructure that supports the adoption of EVs statewide.
CALeVIP and its regional projects are implemented by CSE and funded primarily by the California Energy Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program. California’s goal is to get 5 million EVs on its roads by 2030 to reduce carbon emissions and to support those vehicles by installing 250,000 chargers statewide.
“The California Energy Commission is pleased to partner with the Center for Sustainable Energy and SMUD to increase access to charging infrastructure that makes plug-in electric cars with no tailpipe pollution an easier choice for drivers in Sacramento County and surrounding communities,” said Janea A. Scott, vice chair of the Energy Commission. “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.”
In Sacramento County, the Energy Commission is funding $14 million and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is providing $1.5 million. SMUD has also committed to invest all its revenue generated by this project from the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program to support additional community EV charger installations.
Currently, there are more than 10,000 EVs and nearly 700 EV chargers in public locations throughout Sacramento County, according to SMUD officials.
"Our goal is to improve the environmental, social and economic vitality of communities across our region, and increasing mobility with clean cars is one way to do that," said Ed Hamzawi, SMUD’s director of advanced energy solutions. "We are proud to play a key role in promoting electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure expansion as Sacramento works to lead the way."
CALeVIP is currently accepting applications from eligible Sacramento businesses and public entities for DC fast charger installations with rebates of up to $70,000 per charger or 75 percent of the total installation project’s cost, whichever is less. Rebates for Level 2 chargers are up to $6,000 per connector. Applicants can apply for multiple charger rebates. Additional funding is available for installations in disadvantaged communities, with up to $80,000 for DC fast chargers and up to $6,500 for Level 2 chargers.
“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,” said Andy Hoskinson, CSE's senior manager for EV initiatives. “The increased rebates for disadvantaged communities are particularly significant as these neighborhoods are often more heavily impacted by traffic and poor air quality.”
CALeVIP also currently offers incentive projects in a four-county area of Southern California and in Fresno County with other projects planned throughout the state. CALeVIP is currently funded for $77 million, with the potential to receive up to $200 million.
Property owners and managers can learn about plug-in EV charging, how to plan installations and manage chargers and the application process by visiting the CALeVIP website. A recorded webinar for prospective charger site hosts is available online.