EVgo Selected by California Energy Commission for Proposed Awards of $3.6M in Grant Funding to Build More Fast Charging Infrastructure for Multi-Family Housing Residents
EVgo Inc. (NASDAQ: EVGO), the leading public fast charging network for electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States, has made a significant leap forward in its commitment to environmental sustainability and accessibility. The company, renowned for being the first to be powered entirely by renewable electricity, announced that it has been earmarked for two new grants from the California Energy Commission (CEC).
The Reliable, Equitable, and Accessible Charging for multi-family Housing (REACH) grants amount to a substantial $3.6 million. This funding will be allocated to the installation of new high-powered direct current fast chargers (DCFC) in close proximity to multi-family housing units, enhancing the accessibility of EV charging for residents. Furthermore, EVgo will offer discounted rates to local community members as part of this transformative project.
“EVgo is thrilled to work with the California Energy Commission to keep making it easier for more drivers to go electric with wider access to convenient, reliable and affordable EV charging solutions,” said Cathy Zoi, CEO at EVgo. “There are more than 6 million Californians1 like me who live in apartment buildings, and fast charging nearby is key for us to drive EVs. By partnering with the state on these grants, we can go even further to pair infrastructure for everyone with incentives for nearby residents of underserved and impacted communities – ensuring equitable access to these resources for all.”
In November 2021, the CEC initiated a pivotal move towards clean transportation, introducing a grant solicitation and application package named “Reliable, Equitable, and Accessible Charging for multi-family Housing (REACH)”. This was rolled out as an integral part of the Commission’s Clean Transportation Program, aiming to spur the large-scale deployment of EV charging infrastructure. It sought to catalyze the development of replicable and scalable business and technology models, thereby maximizing accessibility and facilitating EV travel for residents of multi-family housing (MFH).
The solicitation precisely defined MFH as properties housing multiple dwelling units, excluding single-family dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and mobile homes. It mandated that the projects under the REACH grant must install chargers that would directly benefit and be utilized by MFH residents within disadvantaged and low-income communities.
“Forth is excited to partner with EVgo in providing outreach and education to communities in California to help increase awareness and understanding of the benefits and availability of electric transportation solutions in their neighborhoods,” commented Jeff Allen, Executive Director, Forth. “Equitable and convenient access to charging infrastructure is a key element of expanding widespread adoption of electric transportation and is a central tenet of our work.”
EVgo’s commitment to “Electric for All” reflects the company’s drive towards reducing the environmental impact of transportation, particularly within communities experiencing greater pollution levels. To identify potential site locations for enhancing the access of infrastructure for low-income individuals, people of color, and underserved communities, EVgo has integrated the EPA’s EJ Screening Tool. This environmental justice mapping and screening tool, based on nationally consistent data, helps to address the lack of charging options in such communities.
Fast charging options in public areas, particularly in densely populated regions, can bridge this infrastructure gap and fuel the transition to electric. In 2021, EVgo realized its goal of expanding access to charging each quarter and attained a PM2.5 EJScreen demographic score of 51% for its chargers. This indicates that a majority of EVgo’s chargers are within a ten-minute drive from areas with high particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in the air.
Today, EVgo is proactively developing new benchmarking strategies to further improve equity and access to its charging solutions. This continuous effort aligns with the company’s mission to empower individuals and communities through the provision of reliable, equitable, and accessible EV charging infrastructure.
