ChargePoint Expresses Support for Proposed Decision to Deploy 7,500 EV Charging Stations in Northern California

Compromise sets important precedent for utility EV charging programs

Campbell, CA, November 15, 2016 — ChargePoint today welcomed an administrative law judge’s (ALJ) proposed decision to support the deployment of 7,500 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) service territory. The proposed decision creates a landmark program that protects innovation, competition and customer choice.

“This proposed decision accelerates the adoption of EV charging in northern California in a way that preserves innovation and competition,” said Pasquale Romano, ChargePoint’s CEO. “Just as importantly, it extends the benefits of EV charging to disadvantaged communities and those who live in apartments and condominiums.”

“Northern California is home to more EVs and EV charging stations than anywhere in the world. With this proposed decision, this area will continue to set the pace for the rest of the country and encourage more drivers to go electric. ChargePoint will work with all parties to make the vision of an electrified transportation future a reality.”

Proposed Decision Details

A COMPROMISE THAT PRESERVES COMPETITION, INNOVATION AND CUSTOMER CHOICE

  • The ALJ reviewed all of the proposals submitted in the PG&E case and selected the key elements that were considered in the public interest. The result is a new, robust program that preserves the principles of innovation, customer choice and competition, and focuses on increasing EV charging infrastructure in underserved markets including multi-unit dwellings (apartments and condominiums) and disadvantaged communities.
  • The program will support the deployment of 7,500 EV charging stations at a total cost of $130 million.
  • The program adopts a competitive model. In most cases, PG&E’s rule will be to provide rebates for customers to own and operate an EV charging station of their choice. In this segment, PG&E will own the “make-ready” infrastructure needed to prepare a parking space for installing an EV charging station including lines, wiring, conduit and metering.
  • In multi-unit dwellings and disadvantaged communities, PG&E has the option to own and operate up to 35 percent of charging stations. All aspects of the program will be subject to customer choice.
  • The site host will be the customer of record with the utility at all sites. This will allow EV charging to support different business models.
  • A program advisory committee will establish an open and unconstrained process for site hosts to choose equipment and network services, helping to ensure innovation in market products and services.
  • The site host may determine the rate structure and amount charged to drivers for EV charging services, subject to the obligation to implement a load management plan reflecting best practices.
  • Site hosts will be required to have “skin in the game”; that is, they will need to make a meaningful contribution to the project as a condition of participation.

BRINGING EV CHARGING TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

  • The proposed decision helps ensure that EV ownership will be extended to all communities. As such, the program focuses on the underserved customer segments of multi-unit dwellings and disadvantaged communities.

ADMINISTRATION BY BROAD RANGE OF STAKEHulDERS

  • The program will be overseen by a Program Advisory Council that includes representatives from local and state government; industry, labor and other stakehulder participants; ratepayer and environmental advocates; and representatives of disadvantaged communities.

Earlier this year, the California Public Utilities Commission gave unanimous approval to two EV charging programs in southern California – one that authorizes San Diego Gas & Electric to develop a pilot program to deploy 3,500 EV charging stations in the San Diego area, and a second from Southern California Edison to deploy 1,500 charging stations across its territory.

The proposed decision issued today is now subject to public comment, and the California Public Utilities Commission will consider it at its December 15 meeting, where it can approve, reject or modify the proposed decision.