Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebate Program Expands

Written by City News Service

Rebates for electric vehicle charging stations soon will be available under an expanded program that includes businesses as well as residences, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced Wednesday.

More than 500 home charging stations received $1 million in rebates under the "Charge Up LA!" program, which was restricted to residential applicants. That program began May 2011 and ended last month.

The new program will help 2,000 residents and businesses pay for charging stations, with rebates between $750 to $1000, at homes, work places and public areas throughout the city. It will run from Aug. 1 of this year to June 30, 2015.

Unlike with the previous program, the reimbursements will cover equipment costs and would no longer cover installation labor costs, allowing for more applicants to receive rebates, according to utility officials.

The Board of Water and Power Commissioners approved the expanded program Tuesday -- calling it "Charge Up LA! -- Home, Work, and On the Go."

The panel directed up to $2 million in Air Quality Management District grants be used to fund the rebates. Another $75,000 a year was also approved for administration costs.

The previous program used funds from the U.S. Department of Energy. The new program will use AQMD grants the utility originally received for the purchase of natural gas trucks as well as funds it received as part of the AQMD SoCal EV Ready Grant Agreement.

In additional to residents, businesses with 250 or more employees and that take part in AQMD's rideshare program are now eligible for the program, along with companies installing charging stations in public areas.

DWP officials wrote in a report to the board that public charging stations will provide a more robust electric vehicle infrastructure for drivers needing to charge up their vehicles while on the road or if they live in apartments, condos or other multi-family housing.

"These significant rebates for our residential and business customers show our strong commitment to supporting electric vehicles," LADWP General Manager Ron Nichols said of the new program.

He added, "When our customers charge their EVs overnight at their homes, they will be doing so when LADWP's renewable wind resources are typically at their peak, resulting in a truly zero-emission transportation solution."

The new rebates will continue to support the installation of "Level 2," or 240 volt, electric vehicle charging stations, which is three to five times faster than the previous generation of charging stations.

More information about the program is at www.ladwp.com/EV and can also be obtained by e-mailing the utility at PluginLA@ladwp.com or calling (866) 484- 0433.

Here is a list of local charging stations, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy. Stations offer Level 1 (120 volts) and Level 2 (240 volts) charging.