The San Diego region’s transition to electric vehicles —which can help to dramatically reduce air pollution—is getting another major boost.
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) received approval on January 11 from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for six projects to further expand the EV charging network. These projects will add charging stations at the Port of San Diego, San Diego International Airport, delivery fleet hubs and shuttle hubs to support electric vehicles, including semi-trucks, forklifts, and other medium/heavy-duty equipment. Charging stations will also be built at four Park & Ride lots.
These projects build upon SDG&E’s Power Your Drive program, which is ramping up to add 3,500 charging stations at multi-family communities and workplaces.
Partnering with SDG&E in these projects include the San Diego Port District, port tenants such as Dole (the largest world’s largest producer and marketer of fruits and vegetables), the San Diego International Airport and its tenants, and TransPower, an Escondido-based company that has supplied electric trucks to port tenants.
SDG&E’s projects were developed under Senate Bill (SB) 350, which recognized the vital role energy companies like SDG&E play in widespread transportation electrification by installing and expanding the charging network to help customers green their fleets.
Transportation electrification is not just a tool for mitigating climate change, it’s also the natural progression of renewables, given that electric cars and trucks plugging into the power grid will be charging on ever increasing amounts of energy generated by the sun and wind. The San Diego region has an abundance of solar energy during the day, and transportation electrification can help maximize the use of the excess solar energy.
Today, 43 percent of the energy SDG&E delivers to our customers comes from renewable sources, with no contracts for coal.
Below are summaries of the approved projects:
– Port Electrification: Install 30-40 pieces of equipment to support electric semi-trucks and other medium/heavy-duty equipment at the Port of San Diego;
– Airport Electrification: Install up to 45 charging ports to support about 90 new pieces of electric ground support equipment at San Diego International Airport;
– Fleet Delivery Trucks: Install charging stations for about 90 fleet delivery vehicles at multiple locations;
– Electrify Local Highways: Install charging stations at four Caltrans Park-and-Ride lots located along highways;
– Green Shuttles: Install charging stations at five locations frequented by shuttles;
– Dealership Program: Offer educational materials, training and incentives for dealerships involved in selling EVs.
