California Makes Electric Moves

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed six new bills into law that his office said further advance the state’s electrification and clean-energy goals.

The laws are “designed to solve practical problems that can make it harder, slower, or more expensive for Californians to choose an electric vehicle,” according to a press release from the governor’s office.

• SB 969 is intended to modernize the inspection process for public chargers “so manufacturer-tested chargers can get online faster, while maintaining safeguards that ensure drivers receive the electricity they pay for.”
• SB 1283 is touted as preventing “unnecessary delays” for charger installations related to work such as trenching, electrical upgrades, solar canopies and battery storage.
• AB 1820 “reduces permitting barriers and fees for charging projects at apartments and mixed-use developments” so that more communities can have access to charging.
• SB 1213, SB 1267 and SB 615 are meant to “improve transparency in state incentives for zero-emission trucks, help Californians living in homeowner associations access EV charging, and provide consumers with clearer EV battery information when comparing vehicle options.”

The new laws come on the heels of California’s MyFirstEV rebate program, announced earlier this year, designed to help first-time EV buyers save money on their first new or used EV purchases.