Cost Barriers Analysis for Public and Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Abstract

Shifting vehicular transportation from gas to electric is crucial for reducing climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants from tailpipes. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is one of several California state agencies working to electrify transportation. Business models for public and workplace electric vehicle (EV) charging stations face profitability challenges. This study uses cost modeling and interviews to evaluate how CPUC should lower cost barriers for companies that offer charging as a service, so that these companies will undertake more projects at public and workplace locations. Policy recommendations stemming from this analysis are: • Establish electricity rate structures that adjust demand charges relative to volumetric charges, optimizing for overall affordability each billing period. • Change electric rules on cost sharing between utilities and customers for transformer upgrades to reduce the portion a station developer pays. • Expand use of utility funds for “make-ready” infrastructure to all publicly accessible EV charging stations, eliminating those costs for station developers.