Center for Sustainable Energy

Transportation: EV Incentive Programs Electric vehicle training for dealership sales staff nationwideCSE teamed up with the National Automotive Dealers Association to begin designing an electric vehicle training program for auto dealership sales staff and create a dealer referral network for consumers. The program will provide an EV sales training certification program to help sales staff engage and educate buyers. Vermont clean transportation incentive programsThe Vermont Agency of Transportation tapped CSE to develop and administer a suite of clean transportation incentive programs for state residents to help curb greenhouse gas emissions. The programs include incentives for new plug-in electric vehicles, a replace-your-ride program to scrap older gasoline-powered cars and an electric bike purchase rebate.In 2022, the focus of California legislative interactions centered on providing testimony during budget committee hearings and educating key budget committee staff members on the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.

Transportation: EV Infrastructure Programs Pennsylvania utility EV charging programThe southern Pennsylvania utility PECO selected CSE to administer a pilot incentive program to offset the costs of installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure at workplaces, stores, multiunit dwellings and other sites. Louisiana EV Infrastructure ProgramsCSE was selected by the nonprofit Louisiana Clean Fuels to develop a comprehensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure plan to assist state legislators in obtaining funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Using its Caret EV Infrastructure Planner, CSE pinpointed and prioritized sites for public charging, and recommended the types and amounts of charging to install at each location. City of San Diego solar equity programSan Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and CSE launched a $10 million incentive program that provides full funding for solar energy systems for a selection of income-qualified city of San Diego homeowners. SDG&E is providing $1 million a year for 10 years for the equity-based program as part of its franchise agreement with the city. CSE is managing the program, which will provide a model for greater access to solar generation in disadvantaged communities.

Distributed Energy ResourcesThroughout the year, the CSE policy team participated in and commented on various proceedings, hearings and rulemakings related to clean transportation and distributed energy resources before the California Public Utilities Commission. This included low-income multifamily solar incentives, battery energy storage and renewable generation technologies, policy and investment for vehicle electrification infrastructure and net energy metering tariffs. Other comments were made to the California Energy Commission, California Air Resources Board and at the federal level.