SAN DIEGO, Jan. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- America's
transportation sector is the top source for producing harmful
carbon emissions and in San Diego
it accounts for more than half of all carbon emissions. Aiming to
help solve the problem, today San Diego Gas & Electric
(SDG&E) filed a series of proposals with the California Public
Utilities Commission to install tens of thousands of electric
charging stations in new, key areas to encourage the transition to
zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs), trucks, shuttles, and
delivery fleets, among other areas.
"SDG&E has spent more than a decade reducing our carbon
footprint through the rapid expansion of clean energy. We all want
to breathe cleaner air, which means slowing down the impacts of
climate change will require an increased focus on the areas that
produce the most harmful emissions," said Caroline Winn, chief operating officer of
SDG&E. "We are committed as a business and a community partner
to improving lives by developing meaningful solutions."
For SDG&E customers, who over the last twelve months
received more than 40 percent of their energy from renewable
sources, now is the time to increase the use of electricity as a
transportation fuel source.
Transportation electrification is the natural progression of
renewables, given that electric cars and trucks plugging into the
power grid will be charging on ever increasing amounts of clean
energy.
If SDG&E's proposals are approved, additional electric
charging stations would be installed at San Diego International Airport, Port of
San Diego, for delivery fleets,
taxi/rideshare, Park-and-Rides and residential homes throughout the
region. These proposed programs would build upon the company's
efforts to install electric charging infrastructure at 350
apartments, condos and businesses as part of the Power Your Drive
program.
The filing is in response to Senate Bill (SB) 350 which
recognized the vital role energy companies like SDG&E will play
in widespread transportation electrification by installing and
expanding the charging network and other necessary
infrastructure.
"In order to support clean air and a healthy climate, the
transportation sector as a whole, including passenger vehicles,
heavy-duty trucks, and fleet vehicles must all transition to clean,
low-carbon technologies," said Debra
Kelley, advocacy director for the American Lung Association.
"The American Lung Association in California supports SDG&E's efforts to
expand access to electric transportation in our region, reducing
harmful greenhouse gas emissions."
Taken together, SDG&E's transportation electrification
proposals aim to jumpstart the EV sector and test cutting-edge
technology. The larger residential project would focus on customer
homes and smart charging with special EV rates to encourage
off-peak charging.
- Residential Charging Program: Installation of up to
90,000 charging stations at single family homes throughout the
company's service area;
- Airport Electrification: Installation of up to 45
charging ports to enable electrification of approximately 90 new
pieces of ground support equipment at San
Diego International Airport;
- Port Electrification: Installation of several electric
vehicle charging stations and research meters to study the charging
habits of heavy and medium-duty electric trucks and forklifts at
the Port of San Diego;
- Fleet Delivery Trucks: Installation of grid-integrated
charging stations for about 90 fleet delivery vehicles at
approximately six business locations;
- Electrify Local Highways: Grid-integrated charging
infrastructure to four Park-and-Ride locations;
- Green Taxi/Rideshare/Shuttles: Incentives to purchase
electric taxis and shuttles and install charging stations at five
locations frequently traveled by taxis, shuttles and rideshare
vehicles. 50 EV drivers from rideshare companies would receive
fueling credits on their electric bills;
- Dealership Incentives: EV educational programs and
financial incentives for the sale of EVs.
SDG&E is an innovative San
Diego-based energy company that provides safe, reliable,
clean energy to better the lives of the people it serves in
San Diego and southern
Orange counties. More than 4,300
employees work to provide the most reliable and clean energy in the
West. The company has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency for leadership in addressing climate change, was
the first to meet California's
goal of delivering 33 percent of energy from renewable sources, has
fueled the adoption of electric vehicles and energy efficiency
through unique customer programs, and supports more than 600
non-profit partners. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy
(NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in
San Diego. For more information
visit sdge.com/newsroom or connect with SDG&E on Twitter
(@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sdge-aims-to-reduce-air-pollution-by-deploying-electric-vehicle-charging-throughout-the-community-300394425.html
SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)