The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) recently released an analysis examining the state of California’s readiness for full vehicle electrification. ATRI said that the research expands on its 2022 report, “Charging Infrastructure Challenges for the U.S. Electric Vehicle Fleet,” by providing a more granular analysis of the challenges in one state as it moves toward widespread deployment of electric vehicles.
This statewide analysis focuses on grid sufficiency for powering all vehicles, the cost of electricity, the challenges in sourcing materials for batteries, and the expected increase in supply chain costs as the trucking industry experiences significantly increased vehicle costs.
Key findings shared by ATRI include:
- California’s top three power generators face an uncertain future, further widening the gap between power generation and electricity demand.
- Californians already pay the second-highest average rate for electricity at 22.33¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 12.36¢ per kWh.
- Californians will see an increase in the number of trucks on the road as the heavier battery weight will reduce the cargo-carrying capacity in each truck. ATRI estimates for every 1,000 trucks currently on the road, an additional 343 trucks will be needed due to battery weight.
