Los Angeles has experienced a remarkable increase in the number of electric vehicle (EV) chargers installed over the past year, more than tripling the number of installations compared to five years ago, signaling progress in making EV charging as accessible as traditional gas refueling.
According to data from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, permits for EV chargers surged from 985 in 2020 to 3,689 in 2024, marking five consecutive years of growth.
In total, the city has issued 17,211 permits for EV chargers in the past decade.
The expansion of charging infrastructure, including installations in both residential driveways and public lots, is essential in addressing range anxiety, a significant concern among EV drivers who have historically worried about running out of charge during travel.
However, as the charging network improves, the adoption of EVs faces challenges due to potential changes in federal subsidies.
In a recent announcement, Governor Gavin Newsom pledged to reinstate California’s rebate program for electric vehicles if the Trump administration abolishes federal tax credits that provide buyers with up to $7,500 per vehicle.
The Senate is currently poised to approve a Republican spending bill that could phase out these incentives over several years.
Avraham Zohari, who has spent over two decades installing EV chargers through his company Plugin EV Charging Solution, emphasized the transformative impact of residential charger installations.
“The convenience of having a charger installed in their residence is a life-changing experience,” Zohari remarked.
While EV drivers typically spend around 40% less on fuel compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, the upfront cost of purchasing an EV remains a significant hurdle.
In California, advocates are working to alleviate these costs through various initiatives, including state subsidies for both chargers and vehicles.
Lisa Hart, executive director of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Sustainability Alliance, noted the persistent issue of affordability in EV adoption.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard about cost being a barrier to electric vehicles,” Hart stated.
She also highlighted the various effective incentive programs that have been made available at different times.
For instance, the city offers rebates of up to $1,000 for the purchase and installation of Level 2 EV chargers.
As of June 1, the city rebated 2,139 residential chargers and 4,762 commercial chargers during this fiscal year, totaling 6,901 rebates.
The city’s fiscal year begins on July 1, and funding for this program comes from California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard and federal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds.
Ellen Cheng, spokesperson for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, noted a trend of increasing rebates for residential chargers, while applications for commercial chargers have seen a decline.
In the 2023-24 fiscal year, 7,584 chargers received rebates, with 1,624 for residential and 5,960 for commercial properties.
Cheng explained that one permit for commercial properties could result in multiple charger installations.
Despite the generous incentive programs in place, there remains a significant economic disparity in the distribution of EV chargers throughout the city.
The charger map illustrates that wealthier neighborhoods, particularly in the San Fernando Valley, have a significantly higher number of installations.
Sherman Oaks leads with 405 charging permits issued since 2020, followed by Woodland Hills, West Hills, and Encino, each with over 300 permits.
Conversely, neighborhoods in South Los Angeles, including Watts, Historic South Central, Harvard Heights, and Green Meadows, recorded fewer than ten permits each.
Research has consistently shown that EV adoption in the United States is concentrated in higher-income areas, with disadvantaged communities receiving a disproportionately small share of state rebates.
Rachel Connolly, project director for air quality and environmental equity research at UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation, emphasized the ongoing need to promote equitable transition to electric vehicles.
Despite these challenges, sales of EVs have soared across California, rising from approximately 116,990 in 2020 to 443,374 in 2024, according to data from the California Energy Commission.
However, sales progress began to stall between 2023 and 2024.
Overall, California maintains the highest EV adoption rate in the nation, showcasing both progress and the ongoing need for further equitable growth in the state’s electric vehicle market.
In conclusion, while Los Angeles rapidly expands its EV charging infrastructure, the challenge remains to ensure that this transition benefits all communities, narrowing the inequalities that continue to exist.
image source from：xtown
