Three years ago, Southern California Edison, one of the nation’s largest utility providers, delivering electricity to more than 15 million people across central, coastal and Southern California, rolled out its Charge Ready Pilot program. As an approved network provider in the program, EV Connect helped install more than 300 charging ports in cities such as Fontana, CA, resorts such as the Marriott Palm Desert Springs Villa and corporate headquarters such as Panda Restaurant Group. Overall, the program brought more than 1,800 electric vehicle charging ports to more than 100 sites.
The extended SCE Charge Ready program prepares to provide funding for 38,000 EV chargers over the next four years to support massive EV adoption in the state and help California achieve its ambitious sustainability goals. Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order aims to have all vehicles sold in the state be zero-emissions vehicles by 2035. SCE Charge Ready will help provide the infrastructure plug-in EV drivers will need.
But what do you need to know about Charge Ready and how to take advantage of the funding incentives available?
Where Will SCE Charge Ready Place EV Charging Stations?
The $436 million SCE Charge Ready 2 Program assists business and property owners with deploying the infrastructure and equipment necessary to support EV charging stations at their multifamily buildings, public sector or business locations. These areas include:
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Parking lots at corporate headquarters
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Public parking lots owned by cities and municipalities
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Schools
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Hospitals
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Retail and entertainment/multi-use destinations
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Multifamily housing (multi-unit dwellings)
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New construction in each of these areas
Supporting Underserved Areas Suffering Most From the Effects of Climate Change
As SCE Charge Ready seeks to place EV chargers where they are most needed, the program also has a target goal to install 50% of the chargers in state-designated disadvantaged communities (DAC). Metropolitan Utilities District property owners with affordable housing units can benefit from these incentives while supporting EV owners at every income level.
As plug-in vehicles become more affordable — with EVs like the Tesla Model 3 retailing for less than $40,000 and the Toyota plug-in Prius with a base MSRP less than $30,000 — these vehicles will become more prevalent across many demographics. Placing EV chargers in economically impacted communities that suffer most from the effects of air pollution can potentially accelerate EV adoption and reduce the impact of climate change in these regions.
What’s Included in the Program?
The SCE Charge Ready program provides rebates (on top of existing federal tax credits) to offset the purchase and installation costs of qualified EV charging stations. Through partners like EV Connect, the program additionally provides technical assistance with charging locations, no-cost or low-cost electrical infrastructure to support EV charging ports and resources to help you move forward with your decision to provide EV charging stations at your location. To gain access to the incentives, property owners must be prepared to install a minimum of four EV charging ports on their property.
What Rebates Are Available With the SCE Charge Ready Program?
Incentives for property owners to participate in the program come in a variety of forms including rebates for:
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Newly construction multifamily properties
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Charging stations in multifamily, public sector and commercial properties
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Charging infrastructure in multifamily, commercial and public sector properties
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Turnkey installation provided through SCE to multifamily properties in state-identified disadvantaged communities
In addition to federal incentives, these rebates will make it even easier for property owners and management companies to provide the convenience of EV charging ports. Property owners can realize cost savings of between 30% and 50% through the program — with an additional 30% savings from the 30C federal tax credit.
What You Need to Know About SCE EV Charge Ready
As an approved network provider of the SCE EV Charge Ready program, EV Connect is prepared to help our customers secure those $432 million in funds Southern California Edison is providing to business owners in the region who are ready to embrace the multiple benefits of providing their employees, tenants and customers with EV charging capabilities.
We’ve certified multiple stations that qualify under the Charge Ready Program. That means you’ll be working with a team of highly qualified experts to install the necessary infrastructure and hardware— all powered by our management software with 24/7 customer support. Approved partners include: