If both phases are completed, the $355 million plan would cause a rate increase of $0.001/kWh, or 0.1% to 0.3% of the average bill, according to SCE. As incentive to participate in Phase 1 as a charging station owner, SCE will offer rebates of 25% to 100% of the base price and installation, depending on locational and market segment uptake. California’s Utility Reform Network and other ratepayer advocates have expressed interest and concern about rate impacts from utilities building charging station infrastructure, but backers of the plan say utilities are uniquely positioned to jumpstart the building of widespread EV infrastructure. “Utilities have to be the ones because it will take a longer time and cost more than a private company will give it,” said Greenlots CEO Brett Hauser. “Utilities can rate base the charging infrastructure upgrades and consider what is best for the community. Private sector financial concerns will focus the infrastructure on narrower, more affluent markets.” Greenlots was selected by SCE to supply software for the utility’s pilot workplace charging study. The utility wants to better understand consumer behavior when offered fee-based charging with different prices and demand response options.
Southern California Edison (the California Public Utilities Commission) has won approval from SCE (CPUC) for a $22m pilot program to increase the number of charging stations in the state by 1,500. If successful with the public, the California Public Utilities Commission will apply for Phase 2 approval, which could see the deployment of up to 30,000 charging stations across California. the California Public Utilities Commission plans to place charging stations where drivers normally leave their cars parked for more than four hours, including shopping centres and workplaces. People who choose to get involved in the program will own and operate their own charging station, however the California Public Utilities Commission is offering rebates of 25-100% of base costs of the charging stations and installation costs, depending on location and market uptake.