Summary
– California has a high number of EV charging stations compared to gas stations
– The state has invested billions into improving its EV infrastructure
– California aims to phase out gasoline-only cars by 2035
– Major Western automakers are adopting Tesla’s North American Charging Standard
– Seven automakers are forming a joint venture to launch the IONNA charging network
Article
Despite the challenges in convincing consumers to buy electric vehicles, automakers are still struggling with a lack of charging infrastructure in the United States. However, California, a leader in EVs, has made significant progress in this area. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that there is now one EV charging station for every five gas stations in the state, with a total of 105,000 public or shared private electric charging stations and 500,000 at-home chargers. California has also approved a $1.9 billion investment plan to deploy an additional 40,000 EV chargers across the state.
California’s efforts to improve its zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure are aimed at transitioning from dirty tailpipes to a low-carbon, green growth future. This is crucial as the state plans to phase out the sale of new gasoline-only cars by 2035, starting in 2026 with a mandate requiring 35% of all new cars sold to be electric or plug-in hybrids. More than 1.84 million ZEVs have been sold in California so far, with the state accounting for more than a third of all ZEV sales in the U.S. Car manufacturers are working to expand EV charging access for their customers, with many adopting Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) to provide more charging options.
A lack of easy access to charging remains a challenge for EV adoption, with issues such as finding an electric charger during road trips and failures in using public EV chargers hindering the growth of EV sales. Despite these challenges, California’s investment in EV charging infrastructure and the commitment of automakers to expand charging options are steps in the right direction. Governor Newsom emphasizes the importance of maintaining California’s leadership in the EV market and transitioning towards a more sustainable transportation future.
To address the lack of charging infrastructure, several major automakers have made deals to adopt Tesla’s charging standard, giving their customers access to over 15,000 Tesla Superchargers across North America. Additionally, a joint venture involving Stellantis, GM, and Mercedes-Benz has been formed to launch the IONNA charging network, with plans to have at least 30,000 charging stations across North America by 2030. These stations will be compatible with Tesla’s NACS and the Combined Charging System (CCS), ensuring broader access to charging for EV drivers.
California’s investment in EV charging infrastructure and the collaboration between automakers to expand charging options are essential for achieving the state’s goal of phasing out gasoline-only cars by 2035. With a strong focus on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, California aims to maintain its leadership in the EV market and drive the transition towards a green growth future. By addressing challenges such as a lack of charging infrastructure, the state is paving the way for increased EV adoption and a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system.
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