US based Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is planning to construct around 25,000 new electric vehicle charging stations across Northern and Central California over a five-year period.
The company has filed an application with the California Public Utilities Commission seeking permission for this project.
PG&E plans to build the chargers at commercial and public locations, including multi-family dwellings, retail centers, and workplaces.
PG&E chairman, president, and CEO Tony Earley said, "Our proposed build-out of EV charging infrastructure aims to accelerate customer adoption of clean, quiet, and efficient plug-in vehicles by reducing lingering range anxiety.
"It reflects our commitment to helping the state of California meet its critical clean air and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals by promoting cleaner transportation."
"By supporting market acceptance of electric vehicles, it should create tremendous new opportunities for other infrastructure and technology companies, help keep California in the forefront of EV innovation, and create new jobs in local communities across Northern and Central California."
According to PG&E, currently over 60,000 electric vehicles have been registered in company's service area and it also represent more than 20% of total electric vehicles in US.
This $654m project would be the largest deployment of electric vehicle charging stations in the country and 10% of these charges will be aimed to support disadvantaged communities.
PG&E is expected to hire contractors to install and maintain the chargers and manage customer billing.
