AB 591 – EV Chargers For All Act
February 21, 2023
SUMMARY
Assembly Bill (AB) 591 will transform
consumer confidence in transitioning to electric
vehicles (EVs) by requiring charging stations to
be accessible to all types of EVs.
BACKGROUND
Executive Order N-79-20 set the ambitious goal
that mandates all new cars sold in California to
be zero-emission vehicles by 2035 as a way to
mitigate climate change . The transportation
sector is responsible for more than half of
California’s carbon pollution, 80 percent of
smog-forming pollution, and 95 percent of toxic
diesel emissions.
Most EV owners have home chargers and are
confident in their vehicles’ ranges for daily
usage. However, for longer excurs ions such as
LA to SF, most EV owners need to rely on
public chargers.
Charger connectors, which determine whether a
vehicle can charge when it arrives at a public
charging station , remain fragmented across all
EV sectors. EV chargers are divided into th ree
categories: Level 1, Level 2, and direct current
(DC) fast chargers. Direct current ( DC) fast
charging connectors for passenger cars ,
specifically, are split among three designs. For a
driver, this fragmentation means that fast
charging requires not on ly that a driver find a
nearby charging station but verify whether that
charging station has a connector compatible with
their vehicle. This inconsistency and lack of
certainty severely inconveniences EV drivers,
creates confusion and hinders wide spread
vehicle-grid integration . Additionally, many
potential EV owners cite “range anxiety” as a
main hesitancy in trading in their gas -powered
vehicle.
The lack of connector standardization increases
the number of fast chargers needed to meet
California’s mobili ty demands and necessitates
more financial investment, mo re planning and
more time. Mandating that EV chargers have
charging connectors that work for all cars will
improve convenience, reduce the number of
chargers needed statewide, and maximize access
to charging, regardless of the vehicle.
AB 591 promotes greater confidence and
convenience among EV drivers, establishing
certainty that their car s can be charged at any
electric vehicle charging station in California.
THIS BILL
AB 591 builds out electric vehicle charging
infrastructure by ensuring all chargers are
accessible to all drivers. AB 591 requires:
1) All electric vehicle chargers (excluding
those in private residences) shall include
universal connectors that can charge all
EVs.
2) Additionally, all E V charging stations
shall be open to the public.
SUPPORT
The Greenlining Institute (cosponsor)
STAFF CONTACT
Elle Hoxworth
Legislative Director
(916) 319-2046
[email protected]