California has allocated $41 million in public funding to expand affordable EV charging infrastructure. The initiative, spearheaded by ev.energy, aims to make charging more accessible to all Californians while enhancing grid reliability and accelerating the clean energy transition.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) selected ev.energy for its Responsive, Easy Charging Products With Dynamic Signals (REDWDS) grant, which will be matched by select utilities and Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs). This collaborative effort will enroll EV drivers into managed charging programs, effectively establishing a dynamic EV virtual power plant (VPP). A special focus lies on aiding disadvantaged communities, which are set to receive over $50 million in incentives over the next four years.
"MCE's partnership with ev.energy will provide EV drivers with greater access to grid-friendly charging solutions that save them money and support the clean energy transition," said Melanie Biesecker, customer programs manager at MCE for transportation electrification.
The ChargeWise program, enabled by this funding, holds promise for both EV owners and the grid infrastructure. Through managed charging services, utilities and CCAs can optimize energy usage, leading to cost savings for consumers and deferred grid upgrades. This, in turn, facilitates the integration of renewable energy sources, furthering California's sustainability goals.
"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," said ev.energy CEO and founder Nick Woolley.
Phase 1 of the ChargeWise program is set to launch in 2024, targeting thousands of EV drivers in collaboration with various entities including MCE, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Peninsula Clean Energy and Southern California Edison. Subsequently, Phase 2 will scale up operations to encompass 275,000 drivers, with an emphasis on enrolling participants from disadvantaged communities.
ev.energy's proven track record in managing charging infrastructure, coupled with its hardware-agnostic technology, positions it as a key player in facilitating the transition to electric mobility. The recent grant funding supplements the company's efforts following its $33 million Series B raise, aimed at enhancing grid resiliency across North America.
