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On October 14, 2022, the assigned Commissioner (Rechtschaffen) issued a proposed decision (PD) on Transportation Electrification Policy and Investment in the pending rulemaking (R.) 18-12-006 before the California Public Utilities Commission (Commission).  Commission approval of the PD would adopt a new Transportation Electrification Framework (TEF) to guide utility investments in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and would authorize $1 billion in ratepayer funding for the first five years of the TE program, known as Funding Cycle 1 (FC1).  In recognition of the rapidly evolving EV landscape, the PD proposes to cap spending during first three years of FC1, which is a five-year funding cycle, at $600 million, and access to the remaining $400 million budget is held until the Commission issues a “Mid-Cycle Assessment” decision to determine whether modifications to or termination of the program budget is warranted.  Notably, the Commission would prohibit Fortune 1000 companies from receiving any FC1 rebates, regardless of whether they propose to operate in a disadvantaged community. Continue Reading Commission Issues Long-Awaited Proposed Decision in Transportation Electrification (TE) Proceeding, Setting a Framework for California TE Policy and Investment

The California Energy Commission (CEC) hosted a workshop on Tuesday, June 14 to discuss its recently issued (June 10) proposal to deploy federal electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure funding under the NEVI Program authorized by President Biden’s federal infrastructure bill signed into law late last year.[1]

The CEC held the workshop in conjunction with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), which is jointly charged with implementing the state’s NEVI funding. After taking public comment on the draft plan (comments are due by June 28),[2] California will submit its final plan for approval with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) on August 1. Federal funding will be released to each state upon approval of the final deployment plans, which is expected by September 30, 2022. The CEC expects to develop the grant funding details later this summer/fall and to release the grant funding opportunity in the winter of 2022. This plan anticipates the first chargers under NEVI project funding should be operational in Q2 of 2025, with full buildout completed by 2030.Continue Reading California Releases Its Draft Deployment Plan for Federal Funding Under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program

February 22, 2019 marked the deadline by which bills could be introduced for the first half of the 2019-2020 California Legislative Session.  More than 1,800 Assembly Bills and nearly 800 Senate bills were introduced; among them, legislation focused on the electrification of vehicles and the infrastructure for charging them.

Below is a list of some of the key bills Stoel Rives’ Energy Technology Working Group will be monitoring throughout the Legislative Session.  We note that some bills do not contain language beyond the “intent of the Legislature.”  These bills are set forth separately below under the heading “Legislative Intent.”  In addition, some bills identify non-substantive, technical revisions.  However, we will continue to monitor these bills in case of substantive amendments.

Key Upcoming Dates:  Lawmakers will begin Spring Recess April 12 and reconvene April 22.  The last day for bills to be passed out of the house of origin is May 31, 2019.

AB 40 (Ting, D)   Zero-emission vehicles: comprehensive strategy.
Status: Introduced December 3, 2018; referred to Assembly Committees on Transportation and Natural Resources January 24, 2019.
AB 40 would require by no later than January 1, 2021, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure that the sales of new motor vehicles and new light-duty trucks in the state have transitioned fully to zero-emission vehicles, as defined, by 2040, as specified.

AB 753 (Garcia, D)  alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program: fuels: fueling infrastructure.
Status:  Introduced February 19, 2019; referred to Assembly Committee on Transportation February 28, 2019
Existing law establishes the California Alternative and Renewable Fuel, Vehicle Technology, Clean Air, and Carbon Reduction Act of 2007, which includes the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, administered by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission), and the Air Quality Improvement Program, administered by CARB.

This bill would require the Energy Commission to make available at least 30 percent of the moneys available for allocation as part of the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program for projects to produce alternative and renewable low-carbon fuels in the state, as specified, and projects to develop stand-alone alternative and renewable fuel infrastructure, fueling stations, and equipment, as specified.
Continue Reading Electric Vehicles and Zero Emission Transportation Related Bills Introduced in the 2019-2020 Legislative Session

The California Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) voted recently to approve $768 million in expenditures for electric vehicle infrastructure programs proposed by the state’s three investor-owned utilities (“IOUs”). The programs are part of a directive of SB 350 that requires utilities to undertake transportation electrification activities.

Here is a brief overview of the approved programs:

  • Approved at $137 million, SDG&E’s program provides rebates to up to 60,000 residential customers that install Level 2 (“L2”) charging stations, which refer to electric vehicle supply equipment (“EVSE”) connected to a 240-volt outlet.
  • PG&E was approved for $22 million to install make-ready infrastructure to support 234 fast charging stations, as well as $236 million to support 6,500 medium- or heavy-duty EVs (like electric buses and trucks).
  • SCE similarly received approval for $343 million to install make-ready infrastructure to support 8,490 medium- or heavy-duty EVs.
  • In addition, the Commission approved $29.5 million for program evaluation.

Here is our analysis of what the Commission’s order means for the future of EVs and what the industry should be paying attention to:

In terms of charging technology, 150 kW fast charging and residential L2 are the minimum.

The Commission’s order emphasizes the need to use up-to-date technology to ensure some longevity for the investments. For example, in response to PG&E’s proposal for three levels of fast charging stations, the Commission directed the utility to forgo the lowest level and only install customer-side electric infrastructure necessary to support EVSE of 150kW or larger, approving a 25% contingency due to the increased cost of the faster chargers. Additionally, the Commission also noted that participants in rebate programs will be responsible for the full cost of proprietary made-to-order EVSE and make-ready infrastructure, since these are not scalable and may result in stranded assets should the manufacturer go out of business or change technology. In the case of SDG&E’s program, the Commission sided with the utility over concerns raised by stakeholders that Level 1 charging (which uses a standard household 120-volt outlet) is sufficient for residential purposes. SDG&E argued that the more advanced L2 will provide grid benefits by allowing for managed charging when paired with time-variable rates that reflect grid conditions. The Commission also noted the ability of these chargers to provide valuable data on patterns of charging.
Continue Reading California Approves $768 Million for EV Infrastructure

On May 9, 2018 the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission issued an order approving Xcel Energy’s residential electric vehicle (“EV”) pilot program (the “Pilot”), designed as an alternative to Xcel’s existing EV tariff, concluding that the Pilot will “benefit all ratepayers by aiding Xcel in its efforts to integrate EV load as cost-effectively as possible.” A…

Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition has announced that it has roughly $400,000 in unused ARRA grant funds available for alternative fuel vehicle and infrastructure projects. 

Examples of eligible vehicles include:

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Today, the Department of Energy (“DOE”) announced that it is accepting applications for up to $184 million over three to five years to accelerate the development and deployment of new efficient vehicle technologies that will reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, save drivers money, and limit carbon pollution. Projects will span the broad spectrum of…

June 23, 2009: the Obama Administration announced $8 billion in conditional loan commitments for Ford, Nissan and Tesla to support the development of innovative, advanced vehicle technologies. Ford Motor Company received a commitment of $5.9 billion to retool several  to produce more fuel efficient models; Nissan received a commitment of $1.6 billion to retool their Tennessee factory…

On June 16, 2009, the Department of Energy ("DOE") announced the funding of seven research projects for the development of advanced batteries for electric drive vehicles.  The projects focus on improving performance and decreasing the cost of batteries for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles ("PHEVs").  PHEVs are designed to be driven in electric-only mode and can be recharged…