California has surpassed 200,000 publicly available electric vehicle (EV) chargers, according to an announcement by the California Energy Commission (CEC). The growing network of chargers includes those located at grocery stores, park and ride lots, gas stations, as well as shared chargers found at apartment complexes, workplaces, doctors’ offices, sports facilities, and other restricted-access parking areas. These public and shared charging points are in addition to about 800,000 EV chargers already installed in single-family homes across the state.
“With this expanding public network, EV chargers are becoming ubiquitous in California,” said CEC Commissioner Nancy Skinner. “Our goal is to make driving an EV a no-brainer choice for Californians. They are fun to drive, never need an oil change, don’t cause smog, and it’s getting easier to charge your vehicle with public EV infrastructure.”
The CEC reports that most public chargers in California are Level 2 units capable of providing 25-35 miles of range per hour of charging. The number of direct current fast chargers (DCFC), which can provide almost a full charge in 15 to 45 minutes, is also increasing. Since the last count by the CEC, DCFC public and shared charging ports have grown by 14%, while Level 2 ports have increased by 25%.
Federal tax incentives for purchasing or leasing zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)—including up to $7,500 for new vehicles and $4,000 for eligible used ones—are set to expire on September 30, 2025. Additional federal incentives up to $1,000 remain available for at-home charging equipment and battery storage installations.
State agencies continue efforts to expand charger availability through grant funding for various types of installations—including those in multi-family housing—and prioritizing projects ready for immediate deployment through the CEC’s programs. Agencies are also developing a ZEV Infrastructure Plan aimed at supporting California’s zero-emission transportation goals and establishing reliability standards for EV charging equipment.
A recent report published by state agencies reaffirms California’s commitment to advancing ZEV adoption following Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order. The report highlights ongoing initiatives focused on increasing charger access in low-income neighborhoods and rural areas.
The CEC also announced that there are now more than 20,000 charging and hydrogen fueling points statewide dedicated to medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs—a rise of over 23% since February 2025. Although trucks represent just six percent of vehicles on California roads, they contribute more than one-third of transportation emissions and a quarter of all on-road greenhouse gases in the state. Investments targeting these sectors aim to reduce air pollution near major transportation corridors.
The California Energy Commission serves as the primary agency overseeing energy policy planning within the state. Its responsibilities include advancing energy policy objectives; encouraging efficiency; certifying power plants; investing in innovation; promoting renewable energy; transforming transportation systems; and preparing for emergencies.
