California has surpassed the number of gasoline nozzles with nearly 50 percent more public and shared private electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the state, Governor Gavin Newsom announced.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) reported 120,000 gas nozzles compared to 178,549 public and shared private chargers in the state, as of March 20. Shared private chargers are typically found in workplaces, condos, or apartment complexes.
“We’re moving towards a clean car future and offering consumers more options, regardless of federal mandates,” Newsom stated.
The governor revealed that 38,000 new
chargers were installed in 2024 alone.
Out of the total EV chargers in California, over 162,000 are 240 volt Level 2 chargers, and 17,000 are fast chargers capable of charging vehicles in 20 minutes to an hour. However, these fast chargers are not compatible with most Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV).
The CEC also estimated that there are more than 700,000 Level 2 chargers installed in single-family homes across the state.
CEC Chair David Hochschild emphasized the state’s commitment to investing in EV infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas, to make electric vehicles an attractive choice for consumers.
California has allocated billions to support its eco-friendly transportation objectives.
In December 2024, the state approved a $1.4 billion investment plan to expand its charging and hydrogen network, which is currently the largest in the nation.
Funds from this investment will go towards projects like the
Fast Charge California Project, part of the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (
CALeVIP), the largest EV charging incentive initiative in the U.S. This project received $55 million for EV fast-charging stations at businesses and public locations in California.
In addition to infrastructure investments, California offers thousands of dollars in grants and rebates to low-income residents who opt for electric vehicles.
Furthermore, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a
legal alert instructing local jurisdictions to expedite the permitting process for EV chargers in compliance with state law.
Data shows that one-fourth of all new vehicle sales in California in the fourth quarter of 2024 were zero-emission vehicles. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) reported that 30 percent of new zero-emission vehicles sold nationwide were in California.
Despite these advancements, concerns exist about the adequacy of California’s EV infrastructure.
GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan stated that around 20 percent of EV chargers may be non-functional due to lack of maintenance, even though new chargers have been installed using tax incentives.
De Haan highlighted that the average charging time for an EV is significantly longer than refueling a gasoline vehicle, posing a challenge for EV users.
California’s efforts to transition towards alternative fuels and vehicles through laws and incentives are funded by taxpayers. These initiatives include providing vouchers to trucking companies transitioning to low-emission fleets.
An analysis predicted a significant decline in gas tax revenues by 2035 if California achieves its climate goals, leading to potential tax increases for gasoline consumers.
State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones cautioned Californians to prepare for a potential 90-cent per gallon increase in gas prices in 2025, based on a study by the University of Southern California. This hike would result from taxes, fees, and regulatory costs passed on to consumers.
The study also warned of increased costs for retail purchases due to public policy changes, impacting the average Californian’s annual expenses for fuel.
In November 2024, CARB introduced new special blend mandates under California’s Low Carbon Fuels Standard, projecting a 47-cent per gallon increase in retail gas prices. The state is moving towards eliminating the sale of new internal combustion engine cars by 2035 as part of its carbon and methane emission reduction targets.
A University of Pennsylvania study forecasted that CARB’s new policies could raise retail gas prices by 65 cents per gallon in 2025, 85 cents per gallon in 2030, and $1.50 per gallon in 2035.
California’s regulations extend to ABX2-1, passed in October 2024, which mandates that oil refineries maintain a ready stock of finished gasoline, potentially leading to additional costs for producers and higher pump prices. Following this legislation, Phillips 66 announced plans to close its Los Angeles refinery, impacting fuel supply in the state.
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