In early 2013, the CEC awarded grant funding of $75,000 to AeroVironment, Inc. to supply and install level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, also called charging stations, at each of two apartment buildings in San Diego for use by the apartment building tenants. Car2Go, an electric vehicle car-sharing program, contracted with the apartment building owners to allow Car2Go fleet customers to also use the stations. AeroVironment, Inc. sub-contracted with a local electrical contractor to perform the installation work. After an extensive search for apartment buildings that would be willing to participate and are qualified for the program, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment installations began in June 2014 and ended in July 2014.
Governor Brown’s Executive Order B-16-12 directs state government to support and facilitate the rapid commercialization of zero-emission vehicles in California, with a target of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on California roads by 2025. The order also requires that sufficient infrastructure be installed in the state to support 1 million zero-emission vehicles by 2020.
The primary goal of the project was to expand electric vehicle adoption in a particularly difficult sector for installation of electric vehicle infrastructure: multi-unit dwellings—in this case apartment buildings. Both apartment buildings chosen for the program were new constructions, which meant that there was no need to retrofit the infrastructure. The process was also expedited since approval for the installations was obtained from the building owners instead of the homeowner association.
The project exceeded its goals with the installation of seven Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment - five at The Point and two at Sofia Lofts. The project will result in an estimated greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 40 metric tons annually and displacement of approximately 6,500 gallons of gasoline annually. It also supports Car2Go’s ride sharing program by expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the City of San Diego.
