Is Policy Action Alone Enough to Reach Net Zero by 2050?

Recently, BloombergNEF published a telling article titled, “Electric Vehicle Sales Set to Rise Faster Than Ever, but More Policy Action Needed to Get on Track for Net Zero.” The author raises many interesting observations about where we are now in the transition to electric mobility; where we’re projected to be in 10, 20 and even 30 years based on current trajectories; and what we need to do if we’re going to be net zero by 2050.

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Photo Courtesy of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority

In short, the driving theme of the article seems to be that further government policies will be required to spur innovation, adoption and acceptance of EV technology. And while we certainly agree that this is a crucial factor, it fails to highlight the equal importance of private firms like EVCS to do the work once policies are in place since the government is not in the business of installing infrastructure.

Below are several salient points BNEF makes and how we’re helping to affect solutions in the space.

“Reaching net zero by mid-century will require all hands on deck, particularly for trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles where the transition has barely started.”

BNEF works feverishly to drive home the idea that commercial vehicles will be a key driver in the transition to electric. The author notes that two- and three-wheelers are already in heavy use throughout developing countries and that cars and light commercial vehicles are on a positive trajectory, but states, ominously, that “the outlook is far more problematic in the heavier commercial vehicle segments.” EVCS has started tackling the problem by targeting municipalities, large commercial businesses and fleet operators with increased marketing efforts, no-cost installation packages, subscription plans, and high-tech networking software featuring customized demand response and real-time performance monitoring.

“By 2040 the charging network needs to grow to over 309 million chargers across all locations… [including] public chargers (24 million), workplace chargers (12 million) and bus and truck chargers (4 million).”

We have been leading the way in the installation of new chargers across Southern California, installing more than half of all non-Tesla DCFCs in Los Angeles alone since 2020. Our site hosts have included government, retail, industrial, educational, workplace and multi-unit residential properties, many of which are hugely influential and committed to embracing electric. See a spattering of our clients here: https://evcs.com/customers/prominent-clients. In addition, we have consistently lobbied for greater subsidization of the EV industry on local, state and federal levels as we strategize our expansion into other areas of the country. Our know-how and experience will make EVCS a key asset in executing once government policy directives are in place.

“Most of the extra demand for electricity globally in the decades ahead will be met by building additional renewable energy capacity, according to BNEF forecasts.”

Our insistence on powering the EVCS charging network through renewable sources has been consistent almost since our inception, and this year, we were able to come one step closer to a carbon negative future by arranging to buy all our electricity from renewable energy producers through credit offsets. This financial commitment allows said producers to reinvest in expansion and innovation so that, someday, offsets will no longer be needed because widespread renewables will make fossil fuels a thing of the past.

“For chargers [under the Net Zero Scenario], $939 billion would be required in investment by 2040 to install 504 million units.”

The goal of a planet with net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is a noble one, and large government investments will be key in facilitating the transition away from ICEs and fossil fuel-based infrastructure, but private organizations have to be ready to take up the mantle and execute the goals that government officials put forth. EVCS has been active in streamlining the assessment, permitting, installation and maintenance processes through a unique, no-hassle turnkey solution that maximizes the return on government investment. In other words, yes, subsidies are absolutely required, but once approved, we know what to do with them.

You can read the entire BNEF article here:

https://about.bnef.com/blog/electric-vehicle-sales-set-to-rise-faster-than-ever-but-more-policy-action-needed-to-get-on-track-for-net-zero/

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Navigating California’s New EV Mandate

California’s going all in on electric. On August 25th, Governor Gavin Newsom made a very important announcement concerning the future of transportation in the Golden State: “We can solve this climate crisis if we focus on the big, bold steps necessary to cut pollution. California now has a groundbreaking, world-leading plan to achieve 100 percent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035.” Big and bold, indeed. And while highly encouraging, it brings up a number of questions moving forward.

How EVCS is Repairing Reliability Concerns

One of the biggest concerns among EV drivers today is the reliability of public chargers. One recent survey from the Department of Bioengineering at UC Berkeley claims as many as 23% of public chargers in the Bay Area alone are, as Wired sums up, “nonfunctioning at any given time, stymied by broken screens, shoddy credit card or payment systems, network connection failures, or damaged plugs.” And that’s in a locale prioritizing the conversion to electric. Testimony from motorists seems to corroborate these findings. A CEC survey of 1,290 EV drivers found that fully 60% had experienced damaged or inoperable chargers, while almost half needed assistance from customer service. We find this wholly unacceptable and have taken measures to ensure that chargers in the EVCS network rise to the standard of operability our customers expect. Here are a few ways we’re doing that:

Installation of the Month (July 2022): Kenwood Inn & Spa

A key focus for us over the last several years has been the installation of additional chargers at holiday hot spots, tourist destinations, and other key points of interest. Not only will it help dispel long-range travel anxiety among many new EV drivers, but it will also lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions otherwise generated by gas-guzzlers during peak vacation seasons. Moreover, our egalitarian approach to site selection means we’re just as likely to install a charger at a McDonald’s as we are at a Morton’s since we understand the value in catering to a broad clientele. However, higher net worth individuals continue to drive EV sales in the US (a June 2021 Fuels Institute study specifies middle-aged males with household incomes over $100,000), so catering to venues that offer a luxury experience will encourage even greater participation by this group while serving as a bellwether for lower-income drivers who are attracted to the idea of electric mobility as a symbol of status.

Mexico to Canada EV Road Trip: EVCS Interview

We sat down with EV owner and enthusiast Anthony Williams, a 60-year-old business owner from San Diego, who recently commemorated the 10-year anniversary of his first trans-American road trip in an EV by retracing the same route to see what had changed in the world of EV fast charging, for better or for worse. Below are some of his insights and feedback.

Installation of the Month (June 2022): KPC Anaheim Global Medical Center

“For us, healthcare is not only about caring for our patients, but also about investing in the people who live in our communities.” These are the words emblazoned across the home page of the KPC Anaheim Global Medical Center’s website. Facilities like these are attractive partners for us because, like us, their goal is the betterment of humanity. In fact, just replace “healthcare” with “electric mobility” and “patients” with “planet,” and you have the EVCS mission statement in a nutshell. Allying with kindred spirits creates a natural synergy for us through the sharing of core values like customer service and an improved quality of life. Imagine then our excitement when KPC decided to install four of our newest DC fast chargers on their Anaheim property, giving us the opportunity to continue expanding our network southward.