Electric Vehicles

Electric Mobility Roadmap: Over the past year the City of Berkeley has been developing a Draft Electric Mobility Roadmap to identify goals, strategies, and actions to create a fossil fuel-free transportation system that integrates with and supports the City’s ongoing efforts to increase walking, biking, and public transportation, and ensures equitable access to the benefits of clean transportation. The goals include:

• Ensure Equity in Access to Electric Mobility
• Improve Alternatives to Driving
• Achieve Zero Net Carbon Emissions
• Demonstrate City Leadership

The Draft compiles information from a public survey on travel needs and clean transportation options, stakeholder interviews and workshops, feedback from Berkeley Commissioners and the general public at presentations in July, August, and September, as well as public comments on the Draft in October and November. Berkeley City Council will consider the Final Roadmap for adoption in early 2020.  

A plug-in electric vehicle (EV) operates partially or exclusively on electricity from an on-board battery and can be plugged in to recharge the battery. The City of Berkeley is working to make it easier to drive and charge an EV in our community, as EVs provide many benefits, including better air quality and reduced emissions.

Transitioning the automotive transportation sector to electricity, and continuing to clean the electrical supply with renewable sources such as solar energy, is an important component of achieving our community's ambitious Climate Action Plan goals. Driving an EV eliminates tailpipe emissions and powering the car with 100% carbon-free electricity, available from East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), our local energy supplier, can also eliminate the associated greenhouse gas emissions.

Public Charging - Websites that map EV charging stations:

• PlugShare
• Alternative Fuels Data Center

Home Charging - Most EV charging occurs at home, either with Level 1 (120 volt) or Level 2 (240 volt) charging. Resources for residents:

• Home EV Charging Stations - Permit information for installing an EV charging station at a home with an existing garage or driveway.
• Residential Curbside EV Charging Pilot - Pilot Program that expands home charging options including residential curbside charging stations for residents that lack off-street parking.
• Specifications for EV Charging Readiness

Non-Residential Charging - The City of Berkeley encourages businesses and other non-residential buildings to install charging stations for employee, customer, and public use:

• Commercial & Multifamily EV Charging Stations - Resources for businesses and multi-family property owners interested in installing charging stations in their parking lots and garages.
• Specifications for EV Charging Readiness

Other Resources

• Plug In America: consumer and policy resources
• California State Plug-in Electric Vehicle Resource Center
• PG&E Information on EVs for Residential Customers  
• PG&E Information on EVs for Non-Residential Customers
• Federal, State and Utility Tax Incentives & Laws 
• Electric Vehicle Federal Tax Credit
• Electric Vehicle California State Rebate (Clean Vehicle Rebate Project)
• PG&E $800 Clean Fuel Rebate 

• CA State Clean Vehicle Assistance Program: Statewide program provides grants and loans for purchase of new or used hybrid or plug-in vehicles, and free installation of home charging stations
• Community Housing Development Corporation Transportation Program: Regional program provides grants and loans for purchase of new or used hybrid or plug-in vehicles, and free installation of home charging stations
• Clean Cars for All: Bay Area scrap and replace program for gas cars 2004 and older; provides grants for purchase or lease of a new or used hybrid or plug-in vehicle and rebates for home charging

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