The Electric Vehicle Charging Association has released “The State of the Charge,” a report documenting the charging industry’s rapid growth in California and the economic opportunity it presents.
According to the report, there are now more than 9,000 workplace charging outlets in California and in its residences – more than 20,000. The number of public charging outlets in California has grown by 652% since 2011. With 150,000 EVs on its highways, the report adds, California has 40% of the U.S. electric car market, and the industry is expected to generate roughly $4.5 billion in California car sales and services by 2023.
“The stringency of California’s mandate will steadily go up in terms of the required proportions of ZEVs in fleets, changing the mix of cars on sale in the state,” stated Frost & Sullivan Intelligent Mobility Senior Research Analyst Sudeep Kaippalli. “Meanwhile, support and incentives from the government will follow at a slower but significant pace.”
A recent press release provides more:
Reducing upfront purchase costs and expanding non-monetary incentives will widen the potential customer base for ZEVs. A statewide government parking policy providing parking benefits at state-owned properties and buildings is already encouraging ZEV sales. Access to transparent and informative purchase processes and high-occupancy vehicle lanes will turn consumer sentiment positive. Although the uptake of ZEVs has increased since the ZEV action plan in 2013, much remains to be done particularly in the infrastructure domain. Stakeholders must set up connected corridors with an adequate number of fast-charging stations to boost sales.
“Hydrogen fueling infrastructure is another priority investment that will fast-track the migration to ZEVs,” continued Kaippalli. “Constructing renewable energy charging spaces will also promote the use of ZEVs in California.”
