Driving emission-free transportation forward has tangible benefits for Southern California Edison customers and all of Southern California. Electrified transportation will help clean the air, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, modernize infrastructure and create well-paying jobs.
Today, Edison International and its subsidiary, SCE, were presented with the Edison Award for the advancement of transportation electrification. The award is the electric power industry’s most prestigious honor and recognizes distinguished leadership, innovation and contribution to the advancement of the electric industry for the benefit of all.
“Our approach to electrifying transportation was created with customers and communities in mind,” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International. “Transportation produces nearly 80% of California’s air pollution and more than 50% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Customers who live near transportation corridors are disproportionately exposed to the harmful health effects from air and other environmental pollution. Cleaning transportation can make a real difference in their lives.”
In addition to the health benefits, electrifying transportation has economic benefits. SCE’s focus on modernizing infrastructure will create well-paying jobs and advance the transition to a clean energy economy.
According to Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator’s "Green Jobs in Los Angeles” 2021 report, spending on green investments and sustainable infrastructure creates more jobs per dollar than other infrastructure investments and these jobs are accessible and well paying. Every $1 million invested in transportation electrification could create up to 15 jobs and many of the jobs are available to workers without a college degree. Investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure can be a catalyst to help with the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic while also supporting vital air quality and climate benefits.
To realize the benefits of electrified transportation, SCE is working to make it easier for customers to adopt EVs.
“As a founding member of Veloz, Southern California Edison supports consumer education programs for electric vehicles such as ElectricForAll.org and provides valuable insights and thought leadership to our public and private sector members, “ said Josh D. Boone, executive director, Veloz.
One way SCE is doing this is by addressing customers’ concerns about range anxiety through its Charge Ready suite of programs.
Through Charge Ready, SCE installs, maintains and covers installation costs for charging infrastructure at locations where people park for long periods, such as workplaces, entertainment complexes and condos and apartments. Program participants typically own, operate and maintain the charging stations. The program also provides rebates toward the purchase of charging stations for some customers. Over four years, SCE has partnered with businesses, local governments and other organizations to add more than 2,700 EV chargers at 144 sites.
Our approach to electrifying transportation was created with customers and communities in mind. Transportation produces nearly 80% of California’s air pollution and more than 50% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Customers who live near transportation corridors are disproportionately exposed to the harmful health effects from air and other environmental pollution. Cleaning transportation can make a real difference in their lives.”
Pedro J. Pizarro, Edison International President and CEO
Recently, the state approved a $436 million expansion of the program known as Charge Ready 2. The program, which will launch this summer, is expected to add about 38,000 EV chargers throughout SCE’s 50,000-square-mile service area.
Additionally, SCE is supporting the electrification of trucks, buses and off-road industrial equipment by installing charging infrastructure through Charge Ready Transport. The program will support the charging of about 8,490 medium- and heavy-duty EVs over a five-year period.
SCE is also offering rebates that help reduce the cost of buying or leasing EVs. SCE’s Pre-Owned EV Rebate program offers residential customers a $1,000 rebate on pre-owned EVs purchased or leased on or after Jan. 1, 2021. And, SCE is administering the California Clean Fuel Reward program on behalf of the state and participating utilities. The program gives drivers across California up to $1,500 off the purchase or lease of a new EV at participating retailers. The reward is applied at the time of purchase or lease.
“Through the rebates for pre-owned EVs and targeted awareness campaigns, we are working to make EVs a viable transportation option for traditionally underserved communities,” said Carter Prescott, SCE director of Electrification.
