|
|
PG&E
Offers EV Drivers $500 Rebate, Begins Charging Infrastructure
Program
|
|
|
PG&E
residential customers who drive an electric vehicle (EV) now
are eligible to receive a $500 Clean Fuel Rebate. Those who
currently own or lease an eligible EV and have an active
PG&E residential electric account may apply for the rebate
online. Unlike programs only for new EV drivers, this one-time
rebate began in January 2017 and also is open to those who may
have had an EV for several years.
Guidelines and the online application can be found on
PG&E's website. Applicants will need
their PG&E account number and the vehicle's registration
information. Except for portions of Tulare County, much of the
Valley is in PG&E territory. PG&E's service area is
detailed in this map and list of zip
codes.
Funding for the Clean Fuel Rebate comes from a State of
California program called the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
PG&E earns credits in the program when customers use
electricity at home to charge their electric vehicles. PG&E
returns the value of these credits to its electric vehicle
customers through the Clean Fuel Rebate.
PG&E also on December 15 received approval from the
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for $130 million
to be spent during Phase 1 of the Charge Smart and Save program
to fund EV infrastructure in its service territory. Up to 7,500
EV charging stations will be installed in workplaces,
multi-unit dwellings and disadvantaged communities. The program
will begin until later this year, and an interest list of potential
sites is being established.
PG&E estimates that just 5,000 Level 2 chargers currently
are in the 70,000-square-mile territory the utility serves,
while roughly 100,000 will be needed in order to meet Govern
Brown's goal of having 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles in
California by 2025. California leads the nation in EV sales
with more than 269,000 EVs sold statewide.
Go to PG&E's website for more
information or to sign up for the interest list. In addition, a
January 20 company news release has more
information on PG&E's most recent proposal to the CPUC. In
this next phase, PG&E would fund an additional $250 million
to accelerate EV adoption.
|
|
|
|
The
Fresno Yosemite International Airport now has 14 Telefonix
chargers in public parking areas in addition to six chargers
for employees. Director of Aviation Kevin Meikle along with
Fresno City Councilmembers Paul Caprioglio and Oliver L. Baines
III (below, left to right) hold a check from the San Joaquin
Valley Air Pollution Control District, which provided $30,000
to help fund six Level 2 public chargers through its Charge Up!
program. Councilmember Baines also serves on the Air District
Board.
|
|
|
|
Fresno
Yosemite International Airport Region's Largest EV Charging
Site
|
|
|
With
20 electric vehicle (EV) chargers now installed, the Fresno
Yosemite International Airport is the region's largest site for
EV charging. At a ceremony December 16, eight Level 1 chargers
in long-term parking and six Level 2 chargers in short-term parking
were dedicated. Six additional chargers are in an employee
parking area. All of the PowerPost EVSE chargers
from Telefonix feature a colorful personalized wrap unique to
their location.
"The majority of travelers are not from Fresno," said
Director of Aviation Kevin Meikle. "We did not know how
much they would be used, but right out of the gate we are seeing
them being used on a daily basis." Charging is
offered at no additional cost besides the regular parking
fees.
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's Charge Up! program provided
$30,000 in funding for the Level 2 public chargers. The program
funds up to $5,000 for single-port and $6,000 for dual-port
chargers accessible by the public.
"We also put charging infrastructure in for the
airlines," added Meikle. "So they have been steadily
converting their diesel equipment, like the tugs and baggage
carts, to electric. Collectively, the airlines are at about a
60 percent electric fleet."
For more information, read the airport's news release or view a video posted on their Facebook
page.
|
|
|
|
CALSTART
Selected to Administer HVIP, ARB Approves $36 Million for FY
2016-17
|
|
|
The
California Air Resources Board (ARB) on January 24 announced
that CALSTART has been selected as the grantee to administer
the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive
Project and Low-NOx Engine Incentives (HVIP) for Fiscal Year
2016-17.
Offering point-of-sale incentives for clean trucks and buses in
California, HVIP is intended to encourage and accelerate the
deployment of new hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses in
California The Low-NOx Engine Incentives project is
designed to cover the full incremental cost over a standard
natural gas engine and includes both repowers as well new
vehicles.
The program will be allocated a total of $36 million in
incentive funding from ARB for FY 2016-17. This includes $23
million for Low-NOx Engine Incentives and $13 million for HVIP.
For more information, go to the HVIP website or call
888-457-HVIP.
|
|
|
The
SJVCTC staff was able to test drive this Bolt at Three-Way
Chevrolet in Bakersfield. The Bolt handles well on the freeway
and in town, offering a great driving experience overall. Dario
Hernandez is the new EV sales contact at Three-Way, which has
been offering a $2,000 discount off MSRP on new Bolts. Dario,
who used to work for Nissan and drives a Leaf, can be contacted
at dhernandez@3waychev.com
or (661)301-5514. Tracy Chevrolet is advertising a
36-month lease for $339 a month plus tax ($1,600 at signing).
Call (209)229-4901 for information. Contact your local dealer
for special offers and financing they may have available.
|
|
|
|
Chevrolet
Bolts Arrive at SJV Dealerships
|
|
|
Chevrolet
Bolts have arrived at dealerships throughout the San Joaquin
Valley. With 238 miles of all-electric range and a starting
MSRP of $36,620 before rebates and incentives, the small SUV
has a growing list of accolades, including 2017 North American Car of the Year,
2017 Motor
Trend Car of the Year and Green Car Reports Best Car to Buy 2017.
With the addition of PG&E's $500 Clean Fuel Rebate (see
article above), Valley residents who purchase or lease a new EV
now may qualify for up to $15,500 in rebates and incentives,
depending on income and eligibility. Besides a $7,500 federal
tax credit, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control
District's Drive Clean! offers a
rebate of $3,000 and the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project
(CVRP) provides $2,500 to $4,500* for all-electric vehicles
(*higher rebate amount for low-income households). The Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control
District has a new voucher program providing
$5,000 for the purchase of a BEV and $3,000 for a PHEV. The
program is for purchases only, and the voucher must be obtained
before purchase at an approved dealership.
Most SJV Chevrolet dealers have Bolts for sale. Call your local
dealership, go online to the Chevrolet website or contact
the SJVCTC for more information. Google News recently
featured an article on the Bolt and how it may compare to the
Tesla 3.
*Consumers with a household income less than or
equal to 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($72,900 for
a family of four for 2016) are eligible for an added $2,000
rebate, bringing the total CVRP amount to $4,500.
|
|
|
|
The
San Joaquin Valley Electric Vehicle Partnership will host a
Workplace Charging Workshop February 24 at Bakersfield Memorial
Hospital, which has Level 2 chargers from ChargePoint.
|
|
|
|
Plan
to Attend Workplace Charging Workshop February 24 in
Bakersfield
|
|
|
|
If
your business or organization is interested in electric
vehicles and EV charging, don't miss the Workplace Charging
Workshop set for February 24 in Bakersfield. Hosted by the San
Joaquin Valley Electric Vehicle Partnership (SJVEVP), the event
takes place at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital from 9:30
a.m. to 2 p.m.
Presentations will include:
- Introduction to
Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations: San Joaquin
Valley Clean Cities Coalition
- EV Charging
Equipment: EVgo,
Telefonix, ChargePoint, Envision Solar, Fresno Yosemite
International Airport
- EV Incentives: PG&E,
SCE, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
(SJVAPCD), Center for Sustainable Energy, EV Perks
- Electric
Vehicles: Nissan of
Bakersfield, Jim Burke Ford, Proterra, GreenPower
- Workplace
Charging: SJVAPCD,
Telefonix
The
event also will feature an electric vehicle display in the
parking lot. Registration for the workshop, which
includes continental breakfast and hot lunch, is $40.
(Paid members of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Cities Coalition
receive a discount.) More information can be found on the Project Clean Air website, or
go to Eventbrite to register.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
