In a significant move to bolster its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, California has awarded $32.7 million in federal funding to install over 450 new public fast-charging stations across the state. 

The California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced this major investment as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.

According to the CEC, California is set to install 458 new direct-current fast chargers (DCFC) along interstates and highways, funded by the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, a key part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The state expects to receive a total of $384 million from NEVI over the next several years to support the initiative. 

Nine projects have been awarded funding, with companies inclduing Electrify America, Skychargers, Sustainable Energies CA, and Zero6 EV Charging CA participating. This effort is aimed at creating a more robust and accessible charging network, bolstering California’s ambitious climate goals and its leadership in zero-emission transportation.

Each NEVI-funded charging station will have a minimum of four 150 kW Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors, with a total station power of at least 600 kW. These stations will be located within one mile of freeway exits or highway roadways, with a maximum distance of 50 miles between stations.

CEC Commissioner Patty Monahan emphasized the state’s progress, stating, “With this round of awards, the state exceeded the federal requirement for private investment by nearly threefold, significantly increasing the number of chargers funded per federal dollar.”

California continues to lead the nation in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption. In Q2 2024, ZEVs made up 25.7% of all new car sales in the state, with 118,181 ZEVs sold, averaging 1,300 per day. Nearly 2 million ZEVs have been sold in California to date, accounting for 34% of all new ZEV sales in the U.S.

As part of California’s larger goal to install one million chargers by 2030, the state currently has about 150,000 EV chargers. The CEC plans to invest $1.5 billion through fiscal year 2028 to further expand the charging network.

As Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White noted, “California continues to be a leader in the sustainable revolution with this milestone investment… helping to lead the nation in deploying clean energy infrastructure, expanding access to EV charging, and meeting our carbon reduction goals.”

With these investments and ambitious targets, California reaffirms its commitment to a zero-emission future and continues to set the pace for EV adoption and infrastructure development in the country.

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