Two new PG&E programs drive California closer to zero-emission goal

OAKLAND, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Company drops two new programs in hopes of breaking the economic divide for electronic vehicle users.

Supporting California's vehicle electrification and climate action goals, two pilot programs emerge – Empower EV and Multifamily Housing and Small Business EV Charger. Both programs aim to improve accessibility to EV charging infrastructure for those in underserved communities.

These programs would provide resources to address the cost of installing chargers in single-family homes, multifamily housing units, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses in both low and moderate income communities in PG&E's service area.

Research from the California Energy Commission finds the limited EV expansion to be related to "high upfront vehicle costs, lack of chargers for renters and inadequate access to public charging stations in low-income and rural communities..."

Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order in 2020 requiring the sale of all new passenger vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035.

PG&E hopes these programs will steer California closer to fulfilling the executive order.