California has taken small but meaningful steps toward expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure through three new laws, though significant challenges remain in meeting the state’s aggressive electrification goals. The legislation focuses on lowering costs, accelerating installations, and improving access, especially in underserved communities where charger availability has not kept pace with demand.
Governor Newsom approved the measures last week, building on California’s existing network of over 200,000 publicly accessible EV chargers. Despite this substantial number, the state still falls short of the 1 million chargers the California Energy Commission estimates will be necessary by 2030—a benchmark tied to the state’s push for full electrification under the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation. Federal policy shifts, including potential rollbacks of emissions standards, now threaten California’s ability to enforce its own requirements independently.
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Charger distribution across the state remains uneven, with wealthier neighborhoods and areas where early adopters live hosting far more units than lower-income communities. Research from the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) and Berkeley’s Energy and Resources Group highlights stark disparities in access, particularly for communities of color and majority-minority areas. A charger installed in a grocery store parking lot in an affluent suburb serves a different population, and reaches far fewer drivers, than one placed in a multifamily rental building, where residents may lack private parking or off-street access.
The new laws introduce targeted solutions to longstanding barriers. AB 1820, sponsored by Assemblymember Schiavo, caps permit fees for EV charger installations in multifamily buildings. Local governments can no longer charge more than the “reasonable cost of providing the service”, with a maximum of $500 for most Level 2 chargers, plus additional fees for high-power units exceeding 51 kilowatts. While permit costs are not always the primary obstacle, infrastructure upgrades and uncertain demand often present larger hurdles, this change may help apartment owners justify the expense of installation.
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SB 969, introduced by Senator Reyes, addresses inefficiencies in the inspection process. Currently, EV chargers are inspected by County Sealers of Weights and Measures, the same offices responsible for overseeing gas pumps and food safety. This overlap has led to delays, as these agencies often lack the expertise or capacity to handle the growing number of chargers. The new law reduces inspection frequency requirements while strengthening reporting rules for out-of-service units. It also allows factory-tested and certified chargers to enter service more quickly, easing bottlenecks without compromising safety.
Permitting delays have persisted despite California’s 2015 and 2021 laws requiring cities and counties to process EV charger permits within strict deadlines. Progress stalled, prompting the Attorney General’s office to issue a legal alert last spring reminding local agencies of their obligations, a rare intervention in infrastructure policy. SB 1283, authored by Senator Ashby, clarifies that the deadlines now apply not only to chargers themselves but also to “supporting infrastructure”, such as utility trenches or concrete pads. These components often require separate permits. The change could speed up installations at curbside locations and public sites, where coordination across multiple departments is most complex.
