In December of 2013, the SACOG Board of Directors adopted the region’s first plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) readiness and infrastructure plan. The plan, titled TakeCharge, outlines the actions needed around the region to help increase the adoption of PEVs.

The first component of the plan is to help prepare the region’s cities and counties for PEVs and related infrastructure by examining elements of building codes, zoning codes, parking ordinances, etc that will be affected by these vehicles and their charging equipment. The plan provides templates, model language, and training opportunities that can be implemented at the local level to help streamline the permitting and inspection processes.

The second part of the plan looks at when, where, how many, and what types of PEVs and related charging infrastructure are needed throughout the region. The plan forecasts how many electric vehicles will be in the region, models driving and charging behavior for those vehicles, and estimates how many chargers will be needed to meet that demand.

Through the MTP/SCS, SACOG has committed to implementing TakeCharge by seeking opportunities to work with local jurisdictions on the readiness components of the plan, and funding for purchase and installation of chargers. To this end, SACOG received a grant from the California Energy Commission to purchase and install DC Fast Chargers at local grocery stores. Partnering with SMUD, SACOG chose to install these chargers, that will charge a fully depleted battery 80% in about 30 minutes, at grocery stores as a way to provide charging to a broader range of existing and potential PEV drivers, especially those that may not have access to charging at home. The first of these chargers has been installed at the new Sacramento Foods Co-Op location, and the second is being installed at the Nugget Market in Elk Grove.

Recently, SACOG began providing technical assistance to Sacramento County to update PEV readiness elements of their building, zoning, and parking codes. This work is being done to help the county comply with Assembly Bill 1236, which requires all cities and counties with a population over 200,000 to be PEV ready by 2017.

SACOG will continue to find opportunities to work with local cities and counties on PEV readiness, and seek opportunities to provide more PEV charging throughout the region.