The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) continued its support of electric transportation by allowing Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to deploy infrastructure to support up to 7,500 electric vehicle charging ports in workplaces, disadvantaged communities, and multi-unit dwellings.
In a decision made today, the CPUC provided guidance and direction to PG&E for its electric vehicle infrastructure and education pilot program, which is capped at $130 million for Phase 1. The decision allows PG&E to own up to 35 percent of the total charging ports deployed in the program in multi-unit dwellings and disadvantaged communities, while the rest will be owned by building owners or third parties.
The owner of each charging station location — whether it’s a residential building or an office — will have the choice of paying for the electricity as a perk for workers or tenants or making drivers who use the stations pay as they go.
PG&E also will own the wiring and other infrastructure that supports each charging station installed under the program, regardless of who owns the station itself.
PG&E must work with local planning agencies and meet a number of site selection criteria when choosing and developing sites. An advisory committee was established to assist with implementation along with quarterly reporting, parameters for data collection, and evaluation criteria.
Electric vehicle programs for Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric were previously approved by the CPUC.
The program is expected to add less than 22 cents to a typical PG&E customer’s monthly bill. The PG&E program won unanimous approval Thursday from the California Public Utilities Commission.
