Introduction of the Equitable EV Charging Act by Assemblymember McCarty
In Sacramento, CA, on February 14, 2024, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, representing the Democratic Party from Sacramento, has put forward Assembly Bill 2427, known as the Equitable EV Charging Act. The goal of this legislation is to enhance the availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging for individuals living in multi-family dwellings by simplifying the installation of curbside charging stations.
McCarty emphasizes that California is at the forefront of shifting towards a fully zero-emission transportation system. However, he points out a significant concern: a large number of drivers without access to at-home charging could potentially be excluded from this transition. To ensure every Californian benefits from electric mobility, McCarty advocates for the provision of accessible and economical public charging options, particularly at curbside locations where people commonly park.
Charging at home is widely regarded as the most convenient and cost-effective way to support the adoption of electric vehicles. Nevertheless, findings by the California Energy Commission (CEC) reveal that a mere 33% or fewer residents of multi-family housing have access to home charging facilities. The same studies indicate that access is particularly low among lower-income households and those identifying as Black, African American, Hispanic, or Latino.
Assembly Bill 2427, which is co-sponsored by FLO EV Charging (FLO) and It’s Electric Inc (itselectric), mandates the CEC to evaluate the potential advantages of curbside charging for those with limited access. Furthermore, the bill requires the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to create permitting tools and best practices. These tools will aid local governments in facilitating the benefits of curbside charging. The legislation also obliges local authorities to incorporate these tools when formulating permitting requirements and criteria that will support developers in the placement and installation of curbside charging infrastructure.
Louis Tremblay, President and CEO of FLO, remarks that by strategically utilizing the public right-of-way, numerous opportunities arise to enhance access to EV charging right at the curbside. However, he notes that such an endeavor necessitates planning and collaboration between state and local governments. Tremblay believes that the proposed bill will encourage this collaborative effort and ultimately extend charging access to those Californians who need it most.
Nathan King, CEO and Co-Founder of itselectric, points out that beyond California’s leadership, the United States requires an additional 1.2 million public EV chargers by 2030, especially in densely populated urban areas. Currently, the most significant obstacle to deploying these chargers is the cost and complexity associated with connecting them to the utility grid. itselectric’s charging network circumvents this issue, enabling the establishment of an affordable and scalable public charging infrastructure that not only benefits cities, drivers, and communities but also generates revenue for them.
Kevin McCarty serves as the representative of California’s 6th Assembly District, which encompasses the city of Sacramento and parts of unincorporated Sacramento County. He is a member of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure. More information about Assemblymember Kevin McCarty can be found on his official website: https://a06.asmdc.org/.
For media inquiries, contact Simone Braithwaite at Simone.Braithwaite@asm.ca.gov.
About FLO EV Charging Solutions USA Inc
FLO is a prominent EV charging network operator in North America and a provider of intelligent charging solutions. The company is dedicated to combating climate change by expediting the adoption of electric vehicles through a comprehensive business model. FLO aims to offer EV drivers the most reliable charging experience, from urban curbsides to rural areas. Each month, FLO facilitates over 1,500,000 charging events with its network of over 100,000 fast and level 2 EV charging stations located at various public, private, and residential sites. FLO’s operations span across North America, and its high-quality charging stations are assembled with precision in Michigan and Quebec. For more information about FLO, visit https://www.flo.com.
For media inquiries, contact Andrea Knapp at Andrea.Knapp@flo.com.
About itselectric
itselectric offers compact, aesthetically pleasing, Level-2 charging posts and operates the only curbside charging network that provides revenue sharing to property owners. The company installs and maintains low-profile chargers at no cost to eligible property owners, sharing the proceeds with them. This business model aids cities in achieving their carbon reduction goals and reduces government capital expenditures by avoiding the need for utility infrastructure upgrades that are typically necessary for supporting public charging. For more information about itselectric, visit https://www.itselectric.us.
For media inquiries, contact Tiya Gordon at tiya@itselectric.us.
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