SBCOG concluded its third working group meeting earlier this month to create a county-wide Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Readiness and Implementation Plan. Since its initial meeting in July, the working group has received information on electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and fueling infrastructure. In addition, updates have been received on the state of ZEV’s and ZEV infrastructure in California, including those specific to San Bernardino County. Additional details on funding and grant opportunities have been gathered, conversations have taken place with the California Fuel Cell Partnership and Southern California Edison (SCE), and they have contributed information to a county-wide ZEV infrastructure inventory and future planning roadmap for their respective jurisdictions.
Development of the Plan is being funded through a grant awarded to SBCOG from the California Energy Commission. The goal of the Plan is to create a roadmap identifying ZEV infrastructure deployment sufficient to support the County’s anticipated share of ZEVs. An anticipated share based on Governor Brown’s Executive Order to have 1.5 million electric vehicles on the road by 2025 and 5 million by 2030.
Nineteen cities and various stakeholders throughout the region participated in the first working group meeting. The group was able to help identify ZEV opportunities, locations and overall strategy for the region. Working group participants have the opportunity to learn about ZEVs, learn about funding opportunities and to contribute to the roadmap of potential “shovel-ready” projects that can be used to seek future grant funding for implementation of ZEV infrastructure.
The final working group meeting is scheduled for April 24th at SBCOG’s offices. For more information, contact Nicole Soto at nsoto@gosbcta.com.