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PG&E Offers EV Drivers $500 Rebate, Begins Charging Infrastructure Program
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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.
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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.
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Fresno Yosemite International Airport Region's Largest EV Charging Site
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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.
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CALSTART Selected to Administer HVIP, ARB Approves $36 Million for FY 2016-17
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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.
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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.
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Chevrolet Bolts Arrive at SJV Dealerships
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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.
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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.
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Plan to Attend Workplace Charging Workshop February 24 in Bakersfield
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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.
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