California to Install 1600 "ChargePoint" Stations for EV's

The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved a US$3.4 million grant to Coulomb Technologies for 1600 of their EV ChargePoint Networked stations to be installed.

Last week it was Washington's I-5 going electrified (that almost rhymes), this week California continues its progress towards large-scale emissions reduction.

How ChargePoint Works:

The ChargePoint Network is a global, interconnected series of EV charging stations monitored by a central hub. The goal is to provide consumers with accurate, on going details of charging station location and status.

According to Coulomb, drivers prefer the network because makes it easy for them to locate available public charging stations along their commute route and to track their vehicle’s charging performance from anywhere there is an Internet connection.

The 1600 charging stations ordered by the CEC will be placed in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and along the stretch of road extending between San Francisco and San Jose.

What's Missing?

Look, it's great to hear about infrastructure for EV's being improved -- and this is clearly a step in the right direction. But there are several items not really being openly discussed. At least not in the cursory press releases.

First on the list is cost and efficiency. Grants don't usually cover all costs -- though they do help. What will taxpayers wind up paying for these stations? How many vehicles can charge at an individual station? If one is in use, what about the other EV commuters potentially in need of a charge?

Presumably, most EV owners will charge their vehicles at home each night, not wanting to rely on a time-consuming charge during an already busy day. Still, one has to wonder what the cost of charging will be at one of these stations? And where is the electricity being sourced from?

Perhaps more details about this will come out over time. As it stands, it appears to be an interesting, positive move by California -- but one bearing necessary questions.

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