The California Public Utilities Commission approved the utility plans for Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison.
Commissioner of the California Energy Commission Carla Peterman, said: “Other states are watching, other utilities are watching, and I think this proposed decision moves us in the right direction.”
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Pacific Gas & Electric will spend more than US$22mn on installing 230 direct current fast-charging stations in the state. Both Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison will spend US$236.3mn and US$342.6mn, respectively, “on infrastructure and rebates to support electric trucks, buses, and other medium or heavy-duty vehicles.”
Additionally, San Diego Gas & Electric has reserved funds worth US$136.9mn to provide rebates for nearly 60,000 customers to install charging stations at home.
PG&E spokeswoman, Ari Vanrenen, said: “This is a huge area that really needs to be tackled, and we think because the utilities have a strong history in infrastructure projects, we fit in really well into this space.”
Baumhefner of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said: “There’s a complementary relationship here, with VW diesel money for zero-emission trucks and buses, and utility investments providing the plugs for those zero-emission trucks and buses. It stretches the state’s VW money twice as far.”