$35 Million Electric Vehicle Charging Station Incentive Project Launches in Santa Clara County

Details now available on how to apply for rebates provided by local municipal utilities, Community Choice Aggregators, and the California Energy Commission

Santa Clara County, Calif. – Starting December 16, 2020, businesses, commercial property owners, and multifamily residences in Santa Clara County can apply for significant rebates to pay for equipment and installation costs for eligible electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

This opportunity is available through a partnership with the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP). Participants can receive up to $480,000 per site for Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations and up to $120,000 per site for Level 2 (L2) charging stations.

Today, CALeVIP launched a new website (calevip.org/incentive-project/peninsula-silicon-valley) specific to the Peninsula-Silicon Valley Incentive Project to help interested participants prepare for the application process, which opens on December 16. The new website provides specifics on eligibility requirements and eligible equipment costs, summarizes the application process, and provides a list of frequently asked questions. Project funding is expected to be in high demand, so applicants are encouraged to prepare ahead of time and apply quickly.

The City of Palo Alto Utilities, San José Clean Energy, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, and Silicon Valley Power are invested in expanding EV charging accessibility in the region. Together, the local agencies and California Energy Commission are offering $35 million in funding for Santa Clara County. As more Californians choose to drive EVs and the state transitions to an electric transportation system, there is a continued need for available charging stations. This is especially the case in Silicon Valley, which has the highest rate of EV sales in the state.

“Providing better access to charging stations will help accelerate EV adoption and our County’s transition to a cleaner, electric transportation system,” said Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, Santa Clara County Board Supervisor and SVCE Board Director. “Powering cars with electricity rather than fossil fuels reduces local air pollution and climate-changing carbon emissions from tailpipes.”

The Peninsula-Silicon Valley Incentive Project will help Santa Clara County reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, the leading source of emissions in Silicon Valley.

“After sellout successes in other parts of the state, the Energy Commission is proud to fund this new CALeVIP project and bring the latest EV charging technology to Santa Clara and San Mateo counties,” said Commissioner Patty Monahan. “Working with local partners ensures infrastructure is installed in where it’s needed most to help all Californians take part in our clean energy future.”

CALeVIP works to address regional needs for EV charging infrastructure throughout California, while supporting the state’s goals to improve air quality, fight climate change and reduce petroleum use. The Santa Clara County investments are part of a regional Peninsula-Silicon Valley Incentive Project that totals $55 million in incentive funding ($35 million in Santa Clara County and $20 million in San Mateo County).

CALeVIP has several other regional projects throughout the state, including projects in San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento County and Southern California. CALeVIP and its regional projects are implemented by the Center for Sustainable Energy and funded primarily by the Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program (also known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program).

The incentive project will help increase the number of fast chargers and L2 chargers in public, workplace and multifamily housing locations, as well as along highway corridors. Fast chargers provide at least 100 miles of range per hour of charging, and some can charge a battery up to 80 percent in 30 minutes. L2 chargers provide 15-35 miles of range per hour of charging, which is enough for most day-to-day driving.

More information about agency-specific investments in electric transportation is available at the following links:

# # #

About the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU)
The City of Palo Alto is the only municipality in California operating a full suite of utility services including electric, fiber optics, natural gas, water and wastewater, along with refuse and storm drain public works services. Since 2013, the City’s electric supply portfolio has been carbon neutral. For more about CPAU’s EV programs, visit cityofpaloalto.org/EV.

About San José Clean Energy
San José Clean Energy is the new electricity generation service provider for residents and businesses in the City of San José, operated by the City’s Community Energy Department. Governed by the City Council, it provides over 330,000 residential and commercial electricity customers with cleaner, lower carbon power options at competitive prices, from sources like solar, wind and hydropower. For more information, please visit www.SanJoseCleanEnergy.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @SJCleanEnergy.

About Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a community-owned agency serving the majority of Santa Clara County communities, acquiring clean, carbon-free electricity on behalf of more than 270,000 residential and commercial customers. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Member jurisdictions include Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Saratoga, Sunnyvale and unincorporated Santa Clara County. SVCE is guided by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of a representative from the governing body of each member community.
For more information, please visit SVCleanEnergy.org.

About Silicon Valley Power
Silicon Valley Power (SVP) is the trademark adopted for use by the not-for-profit electric municipal utility of Santa Clara, CA, serving residents and businesses for over 120 years. SVP provides power to nearly 55,000 customers, at rates 25 to 48 percent below neighboring communities. SVP is the only full service, vertically integrated publicly owned utility in Silicon Valley owning generation, transmission and distribution assets.
See more at: www.siliconvalleypower.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About the California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is leading the state to a 100 percent clean energy future. It has seven core responsibilities: developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, increasing energy efficiency, investing in energy innovation, advancing state energy policy, certifying thermal power plants, and preparing for energy emergencies.

About the Center for Sustainable Energy
The Center for Sustainable Energy® (CSE) is a nonprofit offering clean energy program administration and technical advisory services. With the experience and streamlined efficiency of a for-profit operation, CSE leads with the passion and heart of a nonprofit. We work nationwide with energy policymakers, regulators, public agencies, businesses and others as an expert implementation partner and trusted resource. EnergyCenter.org


Media Contacts

City of Palo Alto Utilities
Catherine Elvert
Utilities Communications Manager
catherine.elvert@cityofpaloalto.org
(650) 329-2417

San José Clean Energy
Zachary Struyk
Deputy Director, Account Management and Marketing
zachary.struyk@sanjoseca.gov
(408) 535-4868

Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Pamela Leonard
Communications Manager
pamela.leonard@svcleanenergy.org
(408) 721-5301 x1004

Silicon Valley Power
Kathleen Hughes
Sr. Division Manager – Customer Engagement
khughes@svpower.com
(408) 615-6632

California Energy Commission
Lindsay Buckley
lindsay.buckley@energy.ca.gov
(916) 654-4989

Center for Sustainable Energy
Chuck Colgan
chuck.colgan@energycenter.org
(858) 244-1184