A few key barriers have limited Electric Vehicle expansion in underserved communities: high upfront vehicle costs, lack of chargers for renters, and limited access to public chargers, according to a recent study analyzing data from the California Energy Commission. To address these challenges, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is offering two new programs designed to improve access to EV charging infrastructure for customers in underserved communities.
Given California Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order directing that by 2035 all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in the state must be zero-emission vehicles, action is needed to ensure these barriers are addressed, the utility said.
The Empower EV and Multifamily Housing and Small Business EV Charger pilot programs provide no-cost EV charging infrastructure and resources to help address the costs of installing chargers at single-family homes, multifamily housing units, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses throughout low- and moderate-income communities in PG&E’s service area.
Empower EV Pilot Program
The Empower EV program offers income-eligible customers up to $2,500 in incentives to help cover the cost of installing EV-charging equipment at their single-family residences.
PG&E plans to provide a free Level 2 charger, valued at $500, to approximately 2,000 customers who meet eligibility requirements. PG&E will also cover up to $2,000 per eligible household for panel upgrades completed by approved electricians. Up to 800 eligible households may qualify for financial assistance with panel upgrades, PG&E says.
To participate in the Empower EV program, customers are required to verify income eligibility and show that they have purchased or leased an EV within the past six months. Pilot participants will be automatically enrolled in PG&E’s Home Charging EV2-A Time-of-Use rate plan and must remain on the rate for a minimum of six billing cycles. Customers enrolled in the rate plan and the California Alternative Rates for Energy program can save an additional 20% or more each month on their energy bills.
Empower EV is implemented through GRID Alternatives, an Oakland-based nonprofit organization that installs renewable energy projects that serve economic and environmental justice communities.
Multifamily Housing and Small Business EV Charger Program
Through the Multifamily Housing and Small Business EV Charger Program, PG&E plans to install approximately 2,000 Level 1 and Level 2 EV chargers at 450 multifamily housing units, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses in select communities. For qualified customers, the charging units will be installed at no cost to property owners and the program covers two years of networking and software fees.
To meet eligibility requirements, current electric customers must own a multifamily housing unit, not-for-profit organization, or a small business in a priority community within PG&E’s service area. Priority communities include low-income, rural, tribal, and other priority populations defined by the California Public Utilities Commission and California Air Resources Board.
The Multifamily Housing and Small Business EV Charger Program—part of the White House EV Acceleration Challenge to support the nationwide transition to electric vehicles—is being implemented by Ecology Action, a Santa Cruz-based nonprofit that collaborates with companies on local programs to reduce transportation-sector emissions.
EV Adoption Growing Fast
Nearly 500,000 EVs have been sold in PG&E’s service area, representing one in seven EVs sold in the country, the utility said. Approximately one in four (22.7%) of new vehicles sold in PG&E territory in 2022 was an EV. PG&E is preparing the grid to power at least 3 million EVs — which will equate to about 12,000 GWh of EV-related electric load. The utility is working to enable 2 million of those EVs to participate in vehicle-grid integration applications.
