NRG Energy has agreed with the California Public Utilities Commission to invest $100 million over the next four years building a state-wide electric vehicle fast charging network.

The agreement will see the establishment of a network of at least 200 publicly available, fee-paying DC fast charging stations in the San Francisco Bay area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Angeles Basin and San Diego County.

NRG will also install wiring for at least 10,000 individual charging stations in parking spaces located at homes, offices, schools and hospitals across the state.

The deal includes a further $20 million cash payment from NRG Energy to the California Public Utility Commission.

“With this agreement, the people of California will gain a charging infrastructure ready to support their current and future fleet of electric vehicles,” says NRG’s CEO David Crane.

With the price of fuel rising above $4 a gallon, drivers should give serious consideration to electric vehicle alternatives, he goes on.

“This network will be built with private funds on a sustainable business model that will allow NRG to maintain and grow the network as electric vehicle adoption grows,” Crane adds.

The move has been welcomed by Japanese carmaker Nissan, which has sold around 11,000 of its all-electric LEAF vehicles in the US to date, 40% in California.

“Nissan applauds California Governor Brown’s clear vision and strong commitment to electric vehicles,” the company said in a statement. “[This] landmark commitment, which will bring more than 10,000 electric-vehicle charging points to the state, paves the way for widespread adoption of this critical technology.”

For further information:
www.nrgenergy.com
www.nissan.com

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