SACRAMENTO, April 9 (Reuters) — California has reached a major milestone in its transition to clean transportation, with over 178,500 public and shared private electric vehicle (EV) chargers now installed statewide, Governor Gavin Newsom announced today.
This number marks a 48% increase over the estimated 120,000 gasoline nozzles in the state, according to the California Energy Commission (CEC). For the first time, Californians now have significantly more EV charging points than traditional gas pumps.
“As Washington takes steps to restrict EV charging access, California is moving forward,” Governor Newsom said. “We’re giving drivers more charging options and embracing a clean-car future.”
Of the 178,549 EV chargers, more than 162,000 are Level 2 chargers, and nearly 17,000 are fast chargers. Additionally, the CEC estimates over 700,000 Level 2 chargers have been installed in single-family homes across the state.
CEC Chair David Hochschild said the EV experience in California is improving every day, particularly with new infrastructure reaching underserved communities. “We’re making electric vehicles a practical and accessible option for all Californians,” he added.
California remains a national leader in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure. The state has approved a $1.4 billion plan to expand its already extensive charging and hydrogen network. This includes funding for initiatives like the Fast Charge California Project under CALeVIP—the largest EV charging incentive program in the United States.
The project will allocate $55 million to install fast-charging stations at businesses and public sites across California.
Low-income residents also benefit from state grants and rebates to help with the cost of EV ownership. Details are available at ClimateAction.ca.gov and ElectricForAll.org.
The updated charging count reflects efforts by the CEC to improve data tracking. Of the 73,537 chargers added to the state’s database in 2024, nearly 38,000 were newly installed, while more than 35,000 were previously installed but newly identified through improved data sources.
Each day, new chargers are added, enhancing convenience for drivers and helping meet California’s clean energy goals.
State agencies are accelerating charger deployment by streamlining permitting processes, developing long-term infrastructure plans, and ensuring utilities are prepared for increased electricity demand. This includes:
- Tracking charger installations more accurately
- Prioritizing projects ready for immediate construction
- Setting charger reliability standards
- Planning for future grid needs
Earlier this week, Attorney General Rob Bonta reminded local governments to follow laws that require faster permitting for EV chargers.
Private companies are also contributing to California’s charging expansion. New infrastructure is regularly installed, and many firms have plans to grow their networks throughout the state.
California’s ZEV market remains the strongest in the country. One in four new vehicles sold in the state over the past two years has been a zero-emission model. The California Air Resources Board reports that 30% of all ZEVs sold in the U.S. are sold in California.
This progress is part of Governor Newsom’s broader strategy for clean transportation. The administration is also investing in clean fuel production, expanding public transit and rail systems, and modernizing the electric grid to support increased EV demand.
As California builds out its EV network, it is also working to protect consumers from gasoline price spikes—reinforcing its commitment to a cleaner, more affordable transportation future.
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