California, after previously releasing a total of $2.6 billion to enhance funding of clean transportation, is yet again in the news with another funding, taking the state to the very top of the leader board in entities accelerating towards clean transportation and zero emission vehicles.
The state entity, California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved a $2.9 billion investment plan, primarily to expand infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) in the state. The majority of the budget is to flow into charging points for electric utility vehicles including heavy and medium duty vehicles. Out of the total amount, the largest portion – $1.7 billion – is to be invested in new charging facilities for medium and heavy-duty electric vehicles by 2026. The second biggest investment within the program, amounting to $900 million, is aimed for new chargers for electric passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Combined with investments from utilities and other programmes, the US state aims to reach its goal of a total of 250,000 chargers by 2025.
In summary, the CEC funding include $1.7 billion for medium and heavy duty zero emission vehicle infrastructure, inclusive of charging points and sites, $900 million for light duty EV charging infrastructure, inclusive of passenger and commercial vehicle segments, $118 million for the production and manufacture of zero emission vehicles of all weight categories, $90 million for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, $97 million for other zero emission technologies in transportation such as aviation, rail, marine vessels, and more importantly, the integration of V2x sub-systems. The package additionally includes $15 million for zero and near zero carbon fuel production and supply, which includes R&D for alternative fuels such as bio-mass and renewable energy sources, $15 million for low-carbon fuels, which may provide some headway towards the recent construction vehicle move towards integration of HVO fuels, and finally, $10 million for the introduction and establishment of jobs and workforce development.
The Port of Los Angeles is already well underway with decarbonising activities, while the state’s airports have been the focus of hydrogen hubs as well as the decarbonisation of ground transport. In terms of the V2G side of things, the state has had some trouble with black outs and understandably concerned with grid security, especially in light of the expected uptake of electric vehicle charging. Apart from this government funding, V2G pilot attempts are already underway between vehicle manufacturers and utility companies.
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