California's electric vehicle chargers exceed the number of gas pumps, but merely 10% of them provide fast charging. | Carscoops

      While the number of EV chargers is impressive, most of them are slow Level 2 chargers.

      California boasts 48% more public and shared charging stations compared to gas nozzles. The majority of these are Level 2 chargers, but the state also has 16,971 fast chargers.

      The state heavily invests in supporting electric vehicles (EVs), with around 25% of new vehicle purchases being zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).

      As a significant market for EVs, California has a high demand for charging infrastructure. The California Energy Commission recently reported that a total of 178,549 public and shared private chargers have been installed statewide.

      This figure is notable, especially considering there are only about 120,000 gas nozzles in California, resulting in 48% more EV chargers than gas dispensers.

      However, the situation is not straightforward, as the vast majority of chargers—162,178—are Level 2 units, which can take hours to provide a substantial charge. These are better suited for home use, and the California Energy Commission estimates there are over 700,000 Level 2 chargers in single-family residences.

      The remaining 16,971 chargers, or 9.5%, are DC fast chargers, which can provide over 100 miles (161 km) of range in 15 minutes or less, although their speed can vary.

      California attributes its robust charging infrastructure to significant financial investments in clean transportation initiatives, including a $1.4 billion investment plan aimed at establishing the most extensive charging and hydrogen network in the nation. Additionally, there is a $55 million project to install fast charging stations at various businesses and publicly accessible locations across the state.

      California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild remarked, “The California EV driver experience is improving daily. The state will continue to invest heavily in EV infrastructure, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, making these vehicles an attractive option for new car buyers.”

      This is encouraging news for California residents, where around 25% of new car purchases are zero-emission vehicles. However, any changes in federal incentives could negatively impact sales.