ChargePoint Expresses Strong Support for CPUC Decision to Accelerate EV Charging in Northern California
Compromise supports deployment of 7,500 charging stations and sets important precedent for utility EV charging programs
Campbell, CA, December 15, 2016 — ChargePoint today welcomed the California Public Utility Commission’s unanimous vote to approve a program that supports the deployment of 7,500 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) service territory.
“This thoughtful compromise will accelerate electric vehicle charging in northern California, while protecting innovation, competition and customer choice,” said Pasquale Romano, ChargePoint’s CEO. “By dramatically expanding EV charging networks across the northern part of the state, this program will encourage many drivers to go electric. Of equal importance, this decision makes EV charging available to more Californians, especially those who live in disadvantaged communities, apartments and condominiums. ChargePoint is committed to working with PG&E and all parties to implement this program and make the vision of an electrified transportation future a reality.”
This is the third utility program approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in 2016. Earlier this year, the CPUC gave unanimous approval to two EV charging programs in southern California – one that authorizes San Diego Gas & Electric to develop a pilot program to deploy 3,500 EV charging stations in the San Diego area, and a second from Southern California Edison to deploy 1,500 charging stations across its territory.
Approved Program Details
A COMPROMISE THAT PRESERVES COMPETITION, INNOVATION AND CUSTOMER CHOICE
- The CPUC today gave final approval to a compromise forged by the Administrative Law Judge who oversaw the PG&E case. The result is a new, robust program that preserves the principles of innovation, customer choice and competition, and focuses on increasing EV charging infrastructure in underserved markets including multi-unit dwellings (apartments and condominiums) and disadvantaged communities.
- The program will support the deployment of up to 7,500 EV charging stations with a budget limit of $130 million.
- The program adopts a competitive model. In most cases, PG&E’s role will be to provide rebates for customers to own and operate an EV charging station of their choice. In this segment, PG&E will own the “make-ready” infrastructure needed to prepare a parking space for installing an EV charging station including lines, wiring, conduit and metering.
- In multi-unit dwellings and disadvantaged communities, the decision allows PG&E to own and operate charging stations (subject an overall 35 percent ownership limit). All multi-unit and disadvantaged community site owners will retain the right to choose the charging station provider and the option to own the equipment if that is their preference.
- The site host will be the customer of record with the utility at all sites. This will allow the program to support different business models and ensure that building owners can integrate EV charging with other energy management systems.
- The site host may determine the rate structure and amount charged to drivers for EV charging services, subject to the obligation to implement a load management plan reflecting best practices.
- Site hosts will be required to have “skin in the game”; that is, they will need to make a meaningful contribution to the project as a condition of participation.
BRINGING EV CHARGING TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
- The decision helps ensure that EV ownership will be extended to all communities. As such, the program focuses on the underserved customer segments of multi-unit dwellings and disadvantaged communities.
ADMINISTRATION BY BROAD RANGE OF STAKEHOLDERS
- The program will be overseen by a Program Advisory Council that includes representatives from local and state government; industry, labor and other stakeholder participants; ratepayer and environmental advocates; and representatives of disadvantaged communities.
