If approved, money could go to locals who want stations at
home
San Benito County residents and businesses may soon be eligible
for up to $500 rebates on home-based electric vehicle charging
stations, funded by grants through the Monterey Bay Unified Air
Pollution Control District.
The county’s Council of Governments (COG) last week authorized
staff to pursue $12,000 in funding through the program, which would
make 24 rebates available for individuals wishing to install
charging stations in their home.
If approved, money could go to locals who want stations at home
San Benito County residents and businesses may soon be eligible for up to $500 rebates on home-based electric vehicle charging stations, funded by grants through the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District.
The county’s Council of Governments (COG) last week authorized staff to pursue $12,000 in funding through the program, which would make 24 rebates available for individuals wishing to install charging stations in their home.
The money for the program is provided through a $1.6 million State Assembly bill that provides air district funding to reduce pollution from motor vehicles.
San Benito County Supervisor Jerry Muenzer received a request from an Aromas resident seeking funding assistance to install an electric vehicle charging station in their home. Muenzer then contacted COG to check on the availability of the grant money.
“Private citizens cannot apply for the grant directly; it’s only for public agencies, which can then submit a request on behalf of private parties,” Muenzer said. “I encourage people who have an electric vehicle or are thinking about buying one to contact COG about the program.”
Before the grant money is available to residents, COG must submit an application through the vehicle emission reduction program to the air district by June 17 and grants will be awarded in September.
“We’re trying to encourage people to use alternate modes of transportation,” said Veronica Lezama, a transportation planner. “The goal is to reduce vehicle emissions.”
An electric vehicle charging station, funded by the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, is expected to be installed by August at the Briggs Building at the corner of Fourth and San Benito streets. That project, which is not related to the COG grant program, is designed to encourage electric vehicle owners to shop downtown by allowing them to recharge their vehicle’s battery using a credit card.
Having charging stations throughout the Monterey Bay area, an AMBAG spokeswoman said, may encourage people to buy electric vehicles and not have “range anxiety,” the fear that they might be stranded without a place to recharge their car’s battery.
