California now has 68% more electric vehicle (EV) charging ports than gas pumps statewide, according to the California Energy Commission (CEC).
That’s 201,180 publicly available and shared EV charging ports throughout the state, California Governor Gavin Newsom said.
“With this expanding public network, EV chargers are becoming ubiquitous in California,” said CEC Commissioner Nancy Skinner. “Our goal is to make driving an EV a no-brainer choice for Californians. They are fun to drive, never need an oil change, don’t cause smog and it’s getting easier to charge your vehicle with public EV infrastructure.”
California’s publicly available EV chargers can be found at convenience stores such as Love’s Travel Stops, Jacksons Food Stores, 7-Eleven, Circle K and more. They are also available at various grocery stores, parking lots, workplaces and sports facilities.
Federal tax incentives for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) are set to end on Sept. 30. After that date, tax credits of up to $7,500 for eligible new electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles, and up to $4,000 for qualifying used models, will no longer be available. Additional credits of up to $1,000 are also available for installing home charging equipment and battery storage systems. This expiration is the result of decisions made by the Trump administration.
California state agencies, however, continue efforts to speed up EV charger installation and plan for increasing grid demand. These efforts include:
- Providing grant funds that support publicly accessible, workplace and at-home charging installations, including in multi-family complexes, throughout the state.
- Prioritizing shovel-ready fast-charging installations for the funding incentives available through the CEC’s grant solicitation programs.
- Developing the ZEV Infrastructure Plan, a comprehensive plan that lays out the overall infrastructure strategy to meet California’s zero-emission transportation goals.
- Establishing charger reliability standards.
Meanwhile, at the federal level, other recent updates aim to further support EV infrastructure growth. In August, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced revised rules for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula (NEVI) Program, which had been paused earlier this year for review. The new guidance streamlines approvals, increases state flexibility and removes several planning and consultation requirements.
These changes may reduce regulatory and planning burdens for businesses, including convenience stores, that are eligible to host charging stations. By encouraging site-host-owned locations and simplifying the approval process, the revisions could make it easier for retailers to participate in the NEVI program and expand the public charging network.
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