![]() Another challenge: lower-income customers often can’t afford to make the upfront investment in electric cars, home batteries and rooftop solar systems that could save them money in the long term. If not managed carefully, the needed investments could saddle consumers with higher energy bills, according to a report last month by California’s utility regulator. The organization estimates that, by 2050, the electrification of transportation and other sectors will require a doubling of U.S. “The electrification of the transportation sector will catch most utilities a little bit off guard,” said Ben Kroposki, director of the Power Systems Engineering Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). So far, investor-owned companies have plans approved for just $2.6 billion in charging programs and projects, according to trade group Edison Electric Institute. Assuming 40 million EVs on the road, that investment could reach $200 billion. Slideshow ( 4 images ) DOUBLING POWER CAPACITYĪ model utility with two to three million customers would need to invest between $1,700 and $5,800 in grid upgrades per EV through 2030, according to Boston Consulting Group. (For a graphic on the extra power that will be needed for electric cars, click tmsnrt.rs/3rhyX4S ) The state plans an aggressive phase-out of sales of gas- and diesel-powered cars and trucks by 2035 - which, if achieved, would require vast increases in electric grid capacity. Rolling blackouts during a California heat wave last year prompted the state to direct its utilities to procure emergency generating capacity for this summer and to reform its planning for reserve power. “Reliability keeps you awake,” California Energy Commission member Siva Gunda said in an interview. Utilities and power generators will have to invest billions of dollars creating that additional capacity while also facing the challenge of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.Įxtreme weather events add additional layers of difficulty. ![]() More electric cars will require both charging infrastructure and much greater electric-grid capacity. “Redundancy and resiliency when it comes to power is something we have long understood will be an issue,” said Capitol Metro spokeswoman Jenna Maxfield.Īustin’s predicament highlights the challenges facing governments, utilities and auto manufacturers as they respond to climate change. But officials are still trying to solve the dilemma of power interruptions like the Texas freeze. The city’s transit agency has budgeted $650 million over 20 years for electric buses and a charging facility for 187 such vehicles. FILE PHOTO: An electric car charging station is seen at the Regeneron Pharmaceuticals company's Westchester campus in Tarrytown, New York, U.S.
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