Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
DENVER, CO - Yesterday, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued a decision that approves Xcel Energy’s $110 million transportation electrification plan, a three-year effort to deploy up to 20,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at residential, commercial, and public sites in Colorado and support vehicle electrification through rebates, advisory services and research projects.
Xcel Energy’s Transportation Electrification Plan is the first approved by the Commission under a law passed in 2019 that required Colorado’s electric utilities to develop EV plans and will help support the State’s goal to put nearly one million EVs on Colorado roads by 2030.
Key highlights of the program include:
- A precedent-setting EV Equity Rebate pilot program that will support EV purchases for income-qualified customers through rebates ($5,500 for new EVs and $3,000 for used EVs;
- 15% of the total program budget dedicated to support transportation electrification for income-qualified customers and in higher-emissions communities;
- Smart charging electricity rates and programs to help ensure that EVs are plugged in at times when they will most benefit the grid;
- $12 million of funding dedicated to support innovative research and partnership projects like electrification of shared mobility, using energy storage to reduce Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) charging costs, and an electric school bus pilot program.
The provisions in this week’s decision was the result of years of advocacy from a broad range of stakeholders, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Western Resource Advocates, Sierra Club, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, Energy Outreach Colorado, the Colorado Latino Forum, GRID Alternatives, Vote Solar, ChargePoint, EVGo, EnelX, EV Box, Greenlots, and Electrify America.
***Read more about the program here***
In response, Sierra Club Colorado Chapter Clean Energy Advocate Jenny Willford released the following statement:
"We applaud the advocates that worked tirelessly to put equity front and center in this Transportation Electrification Plan, which is a major win for clean air, climate action and healthier communities in Colorado.”
“This program prioritizes the expansion of EV infrastructure for income-qualified customers and in higher-emissions communities, ensuring that the shift to clean transportation in the areas served by Xcel leaves no person or community behind.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.8 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.