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ZEV

Placer County Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Infrastructure Plan 

An electric vehicle being charged at a charging station with a green, out-of-focus background.

Driving Toward a Clean, Sustainable Future

Plan Overview 

Car icon with a bolt, three mountain peaks, text "ZEV READY PLACER."
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This plan provides strategic guidance for the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure across Placer County. As the transition toward ZEVs accelerates, our goal is to ensure that the supporting infrastructure is comprehensive, efficient, and accessible for all residents and visitors.

Aligned with PCTPA’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improving air quality, and addressing climate change, the Plan establishes a framework for building a robust, reliable, and broadly-accessible charging and refueling network. Key efforts of this Plan include evaluating infrastructure gaps, planning for future demand, coordinating with utilities about electrical capacity, supporting municipal fleet transitions, identifying pilot projects, and ensuring clean mobility access in all communities.

The ultimate vision is to foster an environmentally sustainable transportation system that promotes clean mobility and offers seamless access to ZEV infrastructure throughout Placer County.

Why This Plan Matters

Placer County is positioned for substantial growth in ZEV adoption, driven by a combination of supportive policies, financial incentives, and a growing market. While this momentum presents a promising path toward decarbonizing the transportation sector, it also introduces infrastructure challenges, particularly in ensuring accessibility to public charging for residents in multi-family housing and in locations where private investment may be limited. Additionally, deploying charging hubs and hydrogen refueling infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles poses unique logistical and operational hurdles  

Funded by Sacramento Area Council Government (SACOG)’s Carbon Reduction Program, PCTPA is taking the next step to address these challenges and support the county’s transition to zero-emission transportation.  By developing and implementing the Plan, Placer County will benefit in numerous ways:

  • Environmental Impact: Reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
  • Public Health: Improving air quality will result in better health outcomes for county residents, reducing rates of asthma, heart disease, and other health conditions.
  • Economic Development: Building a reliable network of EV charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure will create jobs, support local businesses, and position Placer County as a leader in clean transportation and energy innovation.
  • Enhanced Mobility: Providing easy access to infrastructure will enable drivers to adopt ZEVs confidently, knowing they can charge and refuel their vehicles when and where they need to.

Plan Vision and Goals

The Placer County Transportation Planning Agency envisions a future where ZEVs will have sustainable growth. As part of this vision, we are committed to:

  • Expanding Charging and Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure: Creating a robust network of ZEV infrastructure, ensuring drivers have easy access to charging and refueling options, particularly at public locations.
  • Supporting Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Aligning local, state, and federal long-term sustainable goals by helping decrease transportation sector emissions.
  • Fostering Equity and Access: Ensuring that ZEV infrastructure is accessible to all communities, including underserved and rural areas, to foster equitable transportation opportunities for all residents.
  • Innovating and Building Partnerships: Collaborating with local agencies, businesses, and other stakeholders to promote innovation and leverage resources for ZEV infrastructure development.

How You Can Get Involved: Community Engagement and Stakeholder Collaboration

This is not just a PCTPA plan. It is your plan. Community engagement and stakeholder collaboration are key priorities to ensure the success of the Plan. PCTPA will actively seek input from residents, local businesses, environmental groups, transportation providers, and other stakeholders to help shape the plan and its implementation. Public workshops, surveys, and stakeholder meetings will be held to gather feedback and foster community support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the goal of the Placer County ZEV Infrastructure Plan? 

The plan is designed to expand EV charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure, making the infrastructure network to support ZEVs more comprehensive, efficient, and accessible for all Placer County residents and visitors.

How will this plan benefit businesses and property owners? 

By hosting EV chargers or hydrogen stations on their properties, businesses can attract more customers, generate revenue, qualify for grants and tax incentives, and contribute to sustainability goals.

Will this plan help rural and disadvantaged communities? 

Yes! A core focus is ensuring everyone can access charging infrastructure, especially in low-income, rural, and underserved areas.

How was this Plan funded? How could future projects identified by this Plan to be funded? 
  • The development of the Plan was funded by a federal Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) grant awarded through the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) in June 2024. Local matching funds were provided through Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds managed by PCTPA.
  • The Plan is intended to help unlock multiple future funding sources for the actual deployment of ZEV infrastructure. These include federal, state, and local grants, public-private partnerships, and utility incentives.
Where can I find charging stations in Placer County today? 

You can explore current charging stations on PlugShare or DOE’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator.

The Placer County Countywide Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan represents a bold step toward our region's sustainable, clean, and resilient future. With the support of our community, partners, and stakeholders, we are committed to building an infrastructure network that supports ZEV adoption, reduces environmental impacts, and enhances the quality of life for all Placer County residents.

Join us in making a difference for the environment, our health, and the future of transportation. Together, we can drive Placer County toward a cleaner, greener future!

For more information and updates, please get in touch with the PCTPA staff identified at the bottom of this webpage.