California cities expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure

California cities are expanding electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure through new charging installations. In Santa Barbara, four 400-kilowatt DC fast-charging stations have opened at the Eastside Branch of the public library. Funded by over $500,000 in state and local grants, including Senate Bill 1, these stations are powered by carbon-free electricity via Santa Barbara Clean Energy. The project marks the city’s first expansion of EV charging into residential neighborhoods, aiming to increase accessibility for residents without home charging capabilities.

In Santa Monica, the Big Blue Bus fleet is implementing a $56 million investment in electric transit infrastructure. The project includes the installation of 130 DC fast-charging ports to support the city’s goal of an entirely electric bus fleet by 2032. ChargePoint is supplying the charging hardware and fleet management software, while Eaton is providing the electrical equipment and engineering support required to manage the high-power demands of the depot.