“As the federal government makes it harder to charge an electric car, California is doing the opposite,” Governor Newsom said in a statement. “We now have nearly 50 percent more chargers than gas nozzles, meaning drivers have more options than ever to power their vehicles.”
The milestone underscores California’s aggressive push toward zero-emission transportation. Of the more than 178,000 chargers installed, over 162,000 are Level 2 chargers, while nearly 17,000 are fast chargers. In addition, the California Energy Commission (CEC) estimates that more than 700,000 Level 2 chargers have been installed in single-family homes.
Expanding Infrastructure for a Growing Market
California has emerged as the national leader in EV infrastructure, allocating billions of dollars to expand the state’s charging network. The state recently approved a $1.4 billion investment plan, funding initiatives such as the Fast Charge California Project, part of the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP). The project will distribute $55 million to install fast-charging stations at businesses and public locations.
“The California EV driver experience is getting better by the day,” said CEC Chair David Hochschild. “The state continues to invest in EV infrastructure, with a focus on hard-to-reach areas, making these vehicles an easy choice for new car buyers.”
The state is also prioritizing equitable access to clean transportation, offering grants and rebates to low-income Californians to help them afford EVs and home chargers.
Streamlining the Transition
Beyond expanding infrastructure, California is working to accelerate the deployment of charging stations by cutting bureaucratic hurdles, refining charger reliability standards, and improving data collection. The updated charger totals reflect an expanded effort by the CEC to track operational chargers more accurately. Of the 73,537 chargers added to the official count this year, nearly 38,000 were newly installed, while more than 35,000 were identified through improved data sources.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently issued a legal alert reminding local governments of their obligation to streamline the permitting process for EV chargers. The move is part of a broader strategy to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with demand.
A Future Driven by Clean Energy
The push for widespread EV adoption is part of a broader strategy to transition California to a cleaner transportation system. In addition to expanding EV charging infrastructure, the state is investing in clean fuel production, public transit improvements, and an upgraded electric grid.
With one in four new car buyers in California choosing a zero-emission vehicle—and 30 percent of all new ZEVs sold in the U.S. purchased in the state—California continues to set the pace for the nation’s clean energy future.