Green Charging of Electric Vehicles Under a Net-Zero Emissions Policy Transition in California

Status

Complete

Project Timeline

October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020

Principal Investigator

Areas of Expertise

Zero-Emission Vehicles & Low-Carbon Fuels

Campus(es)

UC Davis

Project Summary

California has set ambitious goals of putting 5 million zero‐emissions vehicles (ZEVs) on the roads by 2030 and installing 250,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2025. Increasing electricity loads from electric vehicles (EVs) will require efficient integration with the electric power grid. With high penetration of intermittent renewables in California, and especially overgeneration of daytime solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity, studies have shown that managed EV charging can lower emissions and contribute to grid stabilization. Furthermore, emerging transportation innovation such as electric automated vehicles (eAVs) and ridehailing can either pose challenges or offer additional tools to further reduce emissions from the transportation system, depending on how policies are shaped. This opportunity underscores the importance of establishing policies and regulations that support “greener” electric vehicle charging by better linking charging to the availability of clean electricity. Existing programs designed to encourage greener charging include rate designs (e.g., EV rates and demand charge mitigation), pilot projects that align charging behavior with renewable output on the grid, and Renewable Energy and Smart Charging bonus credit provisions under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. New possible policies include real‐time rates based on locational availability of renewable energy, aggregated demand response from vehicles, and incentives for vehicle‐to‐grid services. At the same time, greener charging alone is not the only goal of these transportation electrification programs. This research project will provide a comprehensive overview of California’s evolving EV charging infrastructure landscape and new policy options that can maximize the use of renewable electricity. The project will include a critical review and analysis of policy options such as rate structures, approaches to demand charges, aggregated demand response from vehicles, and vehicle to grid incentives. The project is forward‐looking in its recognition of the unavoidable role of electric automated vehicles in enabling the use of cleaner electricity and grid management.