Where do you work, Randy?
I am aware of the position all California utilities are in regard to CPUC policies.
My point is directed to the fact that in any region where electricity distribution is a publicly controlled monopoly, as California, there are multiple layers of Public and private regulations and policies to overcome.
Demand charges on public DCs in imposed by many utility rate programs, for instance, are mandates imposed by the CPUC.
And the prohibition on utilities operating DC sites, is a corollary to a CPUC policy of preventing public utilities from expanding their present monopoly positions, into the BEV charging market.
Both policies have merit, but the result is a decidedly DC charger-unfriendly business climate for California.
There simply is not a great financial incentive for the electric energy supplier to increase their market and sales, by developing new customers, EV owners, as there is for the competing petroleum fuels industry.
So, for now, Californians will probably be dependent on the efforts of the public programs, which (I assume) you are referring to.
I fully support these programs, and I hope you take no offence at my remarks, above.
I just want to make the point that we like in a economy where delivering goods and services is primarily the responsibility of private efforts, and yes, the profit motive. While government policies are important, the primary determination of the reliability of the future DC infrastructure, will be by the operator of DC charging stations, profiting from my charge visit.
Randy said:
Ed,
So much to address in your post.
Utilities in California cannot own or operate public charging per the CPUC decision last summer. So when you ask someone who works at the local utility (like I do) about PEV charging in California, their answer should indicate a thorough understanding of that CPUC decision.
I can tell you that we are very actively trying to help or assist any and all parties that are thinking about installing public charging equipment, from site selection to utility power requirements to billing analyses. We are doing whatever it takes to help potential host sites. That is my full-time job and it is a lot of work. Not every site is a good candidate for this type of installation (by a longshot).
However, we are making progress and more sites will be coming on-line in the weeks and months ahead. Ultimately, though, these host sites will have to pay for the equipment, installation, and electricity (with some relief available through the DOE grants such as the EV Project for the hardware and some of the installation). But overall the installations are usually not free and the hosts have to balance the economics of the installation with the revenue they may be able to bring in. Some hosts are willing to suffer a loss on the installations to get more business, and others aren't willing to do that and must make the installation pay for itself.
We want the market (and the rollout of EVs) to succeed in San Diego and are doing all we can to make that happen...
My suggestion: Be willing to support the new public charging stations, whenever possible, and try to acknowledge and/or thank the host, store manager, etc. so that they get reinforcement that the decision was a good one to install the equipment. Maybe that will lead to more installations...
Well, as soon as there is a single DC between the Oregon border and the Bay area,
that is operational (See the PG&E DC in Vacaville for an epic fail in the public effort) I will...