Stanislaus could have 188,000 electric vehicles by 2035. Where will we plug them in?
A new report examines where Stanislaus County residents might charge the electric vehicles that could proliferate in the years ahead.
They could number nearly 190,000 by 2035 if the county fully embraces the effort to reduce climate-changing emissions, the report said.
It suggested public charging stations at shopping centers, government buildings, employee parking lots and other locations. They would supplement charging done at home by vehicle owners.
The 153-page report was compiled for the Stanislaus Council of Governments by ICF, a global consulting firm. A state grant covered the $200,000 cost.
The StanCOG board could adopt the report Wednesday, March 16. The board includes county supervisors and some of the council members in the nine cities.
Adoption of the report would not commit StanCOG to any of the sites. The document does provide a detailed look at charging stations already in place and what will be needed in the future.
Faster chargers cost more
The study estimated a $31,000 installation cost for a four-plug station that charges relatively slowly. A faster-charging site would cost about $305,000 but serve many more vehicles.
State and federal sources could help with the cost, including the infrastructure act signed by President Joe Biden in November. Electrical utilities also have incentives.
The report said Stanislaus has about 100 charging sites now, some of them public and others limited to employees or other groups. Users of public stations can use credit card readers to power up their cars and pickup trucks.
California aims to stop selling new gasoline-fueled vehicles by 2035 under an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The report said Stanislaus has been slow to adapt, with electric accounting for only about 2,600 of its 400,000 or so total vehicles as of 2020. (Tesla sold the most, 875, followed by Chevrolet at 548.)
The report projected 188,215 electric vehicles in the county by 2035 if state and federal supports continue. The figure would be 62,526 if left to market forces.
Forty charging sites to start
The consultants evaluated 313 possible charging sites and suggested 40 for an initial phase of installation. The criteria include convenience to drivers, space for parking and access by lower-income residents.
The study was guided by an advisory group representing local government, employers, education, electrical utilities and other interests.
The utilities are the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. All three have special rates for residential vehicle charging and are planning for widespread use in the future.
The electric vehicle push is happening alongside efforts to move away from climate-harming sources of power. In the county, that mainly means less natural gas and more wind, solar and hydroelectric generation.
The StanCOG board will meet at 6 p.m. March 16 at 1111 I St., Modesto. Instructions on taking part online are at www.stancog.org.
