SCE Receives Approval For EV Charger Installation Program
January 15,2016
Southern California Edison received approval from state regulators to begin a pilot project to support installation of as many as 1,500 electric vehicle charging stations within its service territory.
The California Public Utilities Commission’s approval clears the way for SCE to begin implementing its $22 million “Charge Ready” program
SCE described the Charge Ready program as a partnership in which the utility will install and maintain the supporting electrical infrastructure, the cost of which will be covered by the program, while participants will own, operate and maintain qualified charging stations.
As an incentive to participate in the program, SCE will also offer rebates of between 25 and 100 percent of the base cost of the charging stations and their installation, depending on location and market segment. The program also calls for at least 10 percent of the charging stations to be installed in disadvantaged communities.
At the conclusion of the pilot, SCE will seek authority from the CPUC to expand the program to bring the total number of charging stations to about 30,000 for a total estimated cost of $355 million. The program also provides funding for education and outreach to develop awareness about the benefits of electric vehicles and charging from the power grid.
SCE also received approval to offer new "advisory services" to help its business customers learn about transportation electrification technologies.