California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed several pieces of legislation which should help further propel EV adoption across the state. From cutting red tape on charger installations to making incentives on zero-emission trucks clearer, the new changes build on the existing programs that already make California the largest EV state in the US by volume.
California pushes further on EV adoption
The package covers six new pieces of legislation, all aimed at removing practical hurdles that slow down charger installations and make EV ownership harder for some drivers.
SB 969 addresses an outdated inspection process which can delay public chargers from opening. The law modernises these inspection so manufacturer-tested chargers can get online faster, while ensuring that EV drivers still receive the amount of electricity they’re paying for. SB 1283, meanwhile, focuses on permits for new charging locations. Charger installations often need related work such as trenching, electrical upgrades, solar canopies or battery storage, and the law confirms that California’s streamlined permitting rules apply to that work too. These two changes should make a particularly positive impact on the speed at which the public charging network can be expanded across the state.
Another piece of legislation, AB 1820, aims to make EV ownership more attractive for those unable to install a charger in a private driveway or garage. It’ll see permit barriers and fees reduced for EV charging projects at apartments and mixed-use developments, allowing more drivers to confidently make the switch to electric.
The remaining three laws in the package will improve transparency around state incentives for zero-emission trucks, help residents of homeowner associations access EV charging, and give consumers clearer battery information when comparing EVs.
The new legislation builds on existing schemes which already make California a leading state in the US for EV adoption across multiple vehicle segments. Earlier this year, it introduced a $3,500 rebate for first-time electric car buyers, while the California Clean Fuel Reward is helping drive uptake of medium and heavy-duty electric trucks.
