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In a significant advancement for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, ev.energy has been awarded a $41 million grant by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to expand affordable EV charging solutions across California. This initiative, part of the “Responsive, Easy Charging Products With Dynamic Signals” (REDWDS) grant, aims to make EV charging accessible to all Californians, with a keen focus on including low-income communities through the ChargeWise program.
The grant, complemented by matching funds from utilities and Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs), is set to enroll 275,000 new EV drivers into managed charging programs. This collaborative effort will forge a dynamic EV virtual power plant (VPP), offering over $50M in incentives over four years to support disadvantaged communities. “The CEC and the state of California have a long history of making California a global leader in decarbonization,” stated Melanie Biesecker, MCE’s Customer Programs Manager for transportation electrification.
With the influx of millions of EVs anticipated in the coming years, California is poised to face the dual challenge of ensuring a reliable power system while advancing its green energy goals. The ChargeWise program aims to mitigate these challenges by providing Californians with grid-friendly charging options that are not only cost-effective but also accelerate the transition to clean energy.
In 2024, ev.energy will initiate the ChargeWise program’s Phase 1, partnering with MCE, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Peninsula Clean Energy, and Southern California Edison to register thousands of EV drivers. The subsequent Phase 2 will aim to scale the program to 275,000 drivers, focusing on serving disadvantaged communities, which constitute 50% of the participants.
“California’s ChargeWise program will create a global blueprint for how public and private partnerships can augment these much-needed solutions and address the inequity of affordable access to EV charging,” highlighted ev.energy CEO, Nick Woolley. The company, with a robust global footprint, has already facilitated over eight million charging sessions and manages a sizable virtual power plant of 120,000 drivers.
About ev.energy: A Certified B Corporation®, ev.energy’s mission revolves around making EV charging greener, cheaper, and smarter for utilities and customers alike. Its software platform seamlessly connects to various EVs and chargers, optimizing charging times to benefit both the grid and the consumer financially.
About the California Energy Commission: Leading California towards a 100% clean energy future, the CEC plays a pivotal role in developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and enhancing energy efficiency, among other responsibilities.
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