Electric Vehicle

Electric Cars: California’s $120 Million Investment for Creation of ‘Electric Expressway’

"Nissan applauds California Governor Brown’s clear vision and strong commitment to electric vehicles through the $120 million investment for the creation of the Electric Expressway. California is leading the way in fostering the growth of electric cars, such as the zero-emissions Nissan LEAF. More than 40 percent of the 11,000 LEAFs sold in the United States are on the roads in California. Today’s landmark commitment, which will bring more than 10,000 electric-vehicle charging points to the state, paves the way for widespread adoption of this critical technology."

Californians may soon see more electric car charging stations around the state thanks to a settlement from ten-year-old claims over California’s energy crisis. Governor Jerry Brown has announced that NRG Energy will pay the state $120 million dollars in a settlement over the costs of long-term power contracts from 2001.

The Governor says the state plans to use most of the money to build a network of electric car charging stations. $100 million dollars will go to funding at least 200 public fast-charging stations and another 10,000 plug-in units at 1,000 locations across the state. The remaining $20 million dollars will go to rate-payer relief.

The roll out of an EV charging network has been slow. Several charging companies that have received federal financial support are behind schedule. The governor’s new executive order would set a target of 2015 to have all major cities, in the state, outfitted with chargers. The Governor has ordered the state to be ready to support more than 1 million electric vehicles by 2020.

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