Electrify America Invests in Six California Organizations to Drive Brand-Neutral Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness and Education in Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities
The largest open DC fast charging network in the U.S. will contribute $3 million to ongoing ZEV education and awareness efforts in the state
Oct 13, 2020, 12:15 ET
RESTON, Va., Oct. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Electrify America is investing $3 million to provide education and awareness programs for low-income and disadvantaged communities throughout California on the benefits of driving zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) and available cash incentives.
Today's announcement brings Electrify America's total investment in California community-based programs to $5.7 million over the past two years, as part of the company's ongoing efforts to promote ZEV adoption throughout the state. The investment will provide support for six California-based organizations as they raise awareness on the benefits of driving ZEVs, while working to get more drivers behind the wheel of electric vehicles.
Investment in California community-based organizations is just one component of the company's broader commitment to low-income and disadvantaged communities. In 2019 Electrify America invested a total of $82.4 million in these California communities by providing education, access, charging infrastructure and services to promote ZEV driving, including $10 million in education and marketing.
"It's our goal to expand awareness of clean and sustainable transportation options that are accessible and affordable to Californians," said Will Berry, social responsibility manager, Electrify America. "Low-income and disadvantaged communities have access to an incredibly complex set of incentives and resources, and we are proud to support trusted community groups that have a proven track record of providing the assistance necessary to help people adopt zero emission vehicles."
More than 100 non-profit, private and public entities from across California were invited to submit proposals to support brand-neutral ZEV education and awareness in disadvantaged and low-income communities. The six recipients of Electrify America's investment are:
- Breathe Southern California
- Central California Asthma Collaborative
- Drive Clean Bay Area
- Ecology Action
- Liberty Hill Foundation
- Valley Clean Air Now
The organizations' programs will highlight how ZEVs today can meet many different consumer needs and provide awareness regarding the economics of driving a zero-emission vehicle. Considerable evidence demonstrates that there is a significant gap between the perceived and actual affordability of ZEVs in California, presenting a meaningful opportunity for effective, targeted educational efforts.
Additional information on the selected California-based organizations and the campaigns that Electrify America will support includes:
In addition to ZEV education and awareness, Electrify America is providing integral DC fast charging infrastructure to help spur the adoption of electric vehicles throughout the state, and the nation. To date, Electrify America has built more than 130 public DC fast-charging station locations throughout California and more than 480 across the United States, with plans to deploy approximately 800 total charging stations with about 3,500 DC fast chargers by December 2021.
About Electrify America
Electrify America LLC, the largest open DC fast charging network in the U.S., is investing $2 billion over 10 years in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, education and access. The investment will enable millions of Americans to discover the benefits of electric driving and support the build-out of a nationwide network of workplace, community and highway chargers that are convenient and reliable. Electrify America expects to install or have under development approximately 800 total charging stations with about 3,500 DC fast chargers by December 2021. During this period, the company will be expanding to 29 metros and 45 states, including two cross-country routes, delivering on its commitment to support increased ZEV adoption with a network that is comprehensive, technologically advanced and customer friendly. Electrify America's Electrify Home® offers home charging solutions for consumers with flexible installation options. For more information, visit electrifyamerica.com and media.electrifyamerica.com.
Electrify America uses definitions for low-income and disadvantaged communities established by the State of California, which are published and mapped by CARB on its "Disadvantaged and Low-income Communities Investments" webpage: https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/communityinvestments.htm
Total low-income and disadvantaged California investment figures highlighted in 2019 Annual Report to California Air Resources Board (p. 43): https://newspress-electrifyamerica.s3.amazonaws.com/documents%2Foriginal%2F415-2019ElectrifyAmericaCaliforniaAnnualReport.pdf
SOURCE Electrify America, LLC
