Volvo Group North America commends the California Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom for enacting Senate Bill 410, the "Powering Up Californians Act." This legislation emphasizes aligning the provision of electric power to electric vehicle charging depots and stations with California's zero-emission goals and regulatory timelines.
Volvo Group North America was pleased to work with lawmakers, manufacturers, environmental NGOs, medical and health organizations, environmental entrepreneurs, and other stakeholder groups across the private and public sectors in advancing this legislation. The "Powering Up Californians Act" supports the ongoing development of zero-emission vehicles for the commercial trucking industry, while contributing to helping the state achieve its climate goals and carbon emissions reduction targets.
"This legislation is a step in the right direction in addressing the regulatory obstacles that have hindered the effective expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure," said Aravind Kailas, Volvo Group North America advanced technology policy director.
"It establishes a framework, encouraging investor-owned electric utilities to prioritize the development of charging infrastructure projects in alignment with the state's zero-emission regulations and goals. Such utility policies — together with incentive programs for vehicles and infrastructure — are needed for the clean energy transition in trucking."
Volvo Group North America shares California's commitment to the environment, and to the goal of accelerating adoption of zero-emission vehicles in the marketplace. In 2020, the Volvo Group made a global pledge to achieve 100 percent fossil-free product sales by 2040, with an interim objective of 35 percent zero-emission product sales by 2030.
Achieving these objectives necessitates supportive public policies that facilitate charging infrastructure availability and offer incentives to offset initial vehicle and infrastructure costs.
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