Run by San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), the Electric Vehicle Grid Integration project will build a network designed to encourage off-peak charging, offering lower costs to plug in when demand is lower and a greater share of the electricity used is coming from cheaper, more environmentally friendly, renewable sources.

It’s hoped that the points, which will be installed at 550 sites including businesses and multi-family dwellings across 4,100 square miles of San Diego and southern Orange counties, will reduce the need to upgrade the electrical grid, as well as improving the running costs and environmental performance of plug-in vehicles in the region. At least 10% of the network will be installed in disadvantaged communities.

The settlement will be reviewed by the California Public Utilities Commission, with a decision due later this year. Signees include car manufacturers, charging point manufacturers and environmental agencies looking to promote green energy.

Jim Avery, SDG&E's senior vice president for power supply, commented: “More than 50% of SDG&E’s residential customers live in multi-family communities, where only a small fraction currently has access to charging. To ensure charging is accessible to all customers, our pilot will address gaps like this in the market.”