Greener future for San Diego

The US transportation sector is well known as a main source for the production of carbon emissions and in San Diego, transportation accounts for more than 50% of all carbon emissions. In an effort to ameliorate this situation, San Diego Gas & Electric has filed a number of proposals with the California Public Utilities Commission, with the view to installing tens of thousands of electric charging stations. These will encourage the transition to zero-emission electric vehicles, trucks, shuttle buses and delivery fleets.

“SDG&E has spent more than a decade reducing our carbon footprint through the rapid expansion of clean energy. We all want to breathe cleaner air, which means slowing down the impacts of climate change will require an increased focus on the areas that produce the most harmful emissions,” commented Caroline Winn, the company’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are committed as a business and a community partner to improving lives by developing meaningful solutions.”

If SDG&E’s proposals are approved, then additional electric charging stations would be installed at San Diego International airport and the Port of San Diego; these will be used for delivery fleets, taxis and rideshare facilities, Park and Rides and residential homes throughout the region. Such a programme will be building upon the company’s efforts to install an electric charging infrastructure in 350 apartments, condominiums and businesses as part of the bigger Power Your Drive scheme.

The filing is in response to Senate Bill 350 which has recognised the vital role energy companies like SDG&E will play in widespread transportation electrification by installing and expanding the charging network and other necessary infrastructure.

In overall terms, SDG&E’s transportation electrification proposals are looking to jump start the EV sector as well as test cutting edge technology. The larger residential project would focus on customer homes and smart charging with special EV rates to encourage off-peak charging. In turn, the residential charging programme will involve the installation of up to 90,000 charging stations at single family homes throughout the company’s service area whilst airport electrification will see provision for up to 45 charging ports to enable electrification of approximately 90 new pieces of ground support equipment at San Diego International. The port will benefit from charging stations and research meters to amass data on the electric vehicles operating there; and the installation of grid-integrated charging stations for just under 100 delivery vehicles is seen as an important step forward. The same technology will be rolled out at four Park and Ride locations