Electrical Vehicle Charging

NEW! The City of Berkeley is currently developing its first Electric Vehicle (EV) Roadmap, a plan to increase equitable access to EVs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation. Public responses from a recent survey on travel needs and perspectives on clean transportation options (including electric bikes, scooters, buses, and car sharing) can be found here. Additional opportunities to provide input for the EV Roadmap will be available; details will be shared on this webpage.

A plug-in 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 - New residential development projects require EV charging readiness at 10% of the parking spaces (or at least 1 space).

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 - New non-residential development projects with over 20 parking spaces require EV charging readiness for 3% of parking spaces.

Other Resources

• Plug In America: consumer and policy resources
• City of Berkeley Drive Electric on a Budget
• 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 and State 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
• Clean Cars for All: Bay Area scrap and replace program for gas cars 1996 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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