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Sep 16, 2020

Peninsula Clean Energy Launches $28M Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Program

Largest EV effort by a community energy agency targets 3,500 charging points

Peninsula Clean Energy has launched its EV Ready Program, an unprecedented $28 million effort to install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at commercial workplaces, multi-family dwellings and other public locations. It is the largest EV charging infrastructure program tied to a single Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) agency.

EV Ready intends to install 3,500 charging ports in San Mateo County over the next four years. The effort includes $24 million in project incentives and $4 million towards free technical assistance for eligible properties, support of workforce development in the county and other assorted costs.

The $24 million in project incentives includes $12 million from Peninsula Clean Energy and $12 million from the California Energy Commission (CEC) under the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP). CALeVIP is a state-funded EV charging infrastructure program that works with local community partners to develop and implement regional incentive projects for charging infrastructure that supports EV adoption statewide. That broader CALeVIP Peninsula-Silicon Valley effort will also include $36 million in incentives that will be disbursed in partnership with four Santa Clara County agencies – Silicon Valley Clean Energy, San Jose Clean Energy, Silicon Valley Power and the City of Palo Alto Utilities.

Peninsula Clean Energy’s EV Ready Program includes free technical assistance for eligible properties to support project design, equipment discounts, bidding and contractor selection. The program will offer advanced design strategies which support more EVs at lower cost, including Level 1 and power-managed Level 2 charging ports. Properties receiving that technical assistance will also have access to preferential pricing for EV charging stations.

Applications for the technical assistance and initial phase of installation incentives are open and, along with additional information on preferential pricing, are available via PenCleanEnergy.com/EV-Ready. The initial phase of incentives supports multi-family properties and low-power workplace solutions. The second phase of incentives supporting DC Fast Charging and Level 2 charging at a broader range of properties will come with the opening of the CALeVIP Peninsula-Silicon Valley Incentive Project on December 16, 2020.

“The installation of these new charging stations will bring much-needed charging infrastructure to the Peninsula and the opportunity for eligible properties to access free technical assistance is an added bonus,” Assemblymember Kevin Mullin said. “Peninsula Clean Energy is putting together a wonderful trifecta of expanding charging stations, providing jobs and providing incentives for people to make the move to electric vehicles.”

“Making sure that all drivers will be able to easily charge their cars at work, at home and elsewhere is a critical step in our efforts to make electric vehicles accessible and affordable,” Peninsula Clean Energy CEO Jan Pepper said. “This could make a sizable dent in transportation-sector greenhouse gas emissions, which is by far the biggest contributor to climate change in San Mateo County. It further supplements our aggressive goal of expanding clean energy, including striving toward all-renewable power to our customers by 2025.”

By 2025, San Mateo County is expected to have more than 45,000 EVs.

Peninsula Clean Energy is committed to utilizing a skilled and trained workforce in an effort that is projected to result in more than 400 projects.

“This program will deliver living–wage local jobs at a time when such a commitment has never been more welcomed,” said David Mauro, business manager and affiliate of San Mateo Building Trades Council.

In addition, Peninsula Clean Energy’s technical assistance will assist San Mateo County facilities in securing additional incentives from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Charge! Program when applications open later in the fall.

Peninsula Clean Energy already has offered incentives for the purchase and lease of new EVs and instituted a program to help low-income residents purchase a used EV.

 

About Peninsula Clean Energy

Peninsula Clean Energy is a Community Choice Aggregation agency and the official electricity provider for San Mateo County. Founded in 2016 with a mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the county, the agency serves 295,000 customers by providing more than 3,500 gigawatt hours annually of electricity that is 95% carbon-free and at lower cost than PG&E. As a community-led, not-for-profit agency, Peninsula Clean Energy makes significant investments in our communities to expand access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions. Peninsula Clean Energy is on track to deliver electricity that is 100% carbon-free by 2021 and 100% renewable on a 24/7 basis by 2025. The agency has earned investment grade credit ratings from Moody’s and Fitch.

 

Media Contact

Darren Goode
Peninsula Clean Energy
dgoode@peninsulacleanenergy.com
(202) 550-6619