Projects

Overview

Featured Projects 

AI-Based Mobility Monitoring System and Analytics Demonstration Project using Electric Vehicles

SCAG is partnering with The HORIBA Institute for Mobility and Connectivity (HIMaC) at the University of California Irvine (UCI) to research artificial intelligence (AI) and transportation energy efficiency in the City of Irvine. The researchers will be using 25 traffic intersections in the city to conduct their research. At these 25 intersections, researchers will install LiDAR sensors to better understand how AI can positively affect air quality, traffic, and safety. In addition to the 25 intersections, the project will use three fleets of vehicles to help their research. The data from these traffic intersections and vehicles will be used to create simulations to evaluate how these tools and systems can perform at a larger scale. 

To participate in upcoming listening sessions about this project please contact Alison Linder, PhD, Clean Cities Coalition Director, at linder@scag.ca.gov

For general broader inquiries about the project, contact Blake Lane, PhD bal@apep.uci.edu  

Please review our factsheet with more information about this project.

Southern California Electric Vehicle Charging Station Study 

The SCAG EVCSS was completed in February 2023.  SCAG partnered with 18 cities within the SCAG region to help jurisdictions promote development and deployment of EV charging infrastructure to accelerate transportation electrification. 

The study included tailored policy guidance to study partner cities; a regionwide Site Suitability Analysis to target areas for future EV charging infrastructure, with a focus on increasing EV infrastructure in traditionally underserved and hard-to-reach communities including multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) and Disadvantaged Communities (DACs); EV site evaluations; and a Passenger Electric Vehicle (PEV) Infrastructure Plan that informs on the need and tools available for cities to spur development of charging stations and support EV adoption across Southern California. 

Additionally, SCAG hosted 22 listening sessions, a virtual meeting room, and 15 community events to engage with city stakeholders, industry experts, and local communities to raise project awareness, encourage EV adoption, and gather community stakeholder input.  Through this study, SCAG also created educational brochures and guides for cities and property managers. 

Study products and tools are available below to assist your community with Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure planning and you may view, download and share our informational brochure with your constituents.  

final products
Title Description
PEV Site Suitability Scoring Methodology Report

This report explains the data and methods used to evaluate the potential of sites in the SCAG region to host Passenger Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS). Four scenarios were developed to evaluate site suitability; Baseline, Initiating, Progressing and Expanding. This report describes the assumptions, objectives and scoring adjustments for each scenario along with links to the datasets used. The results of this analysis can be found on the PEV Atlas.

EV Policy Memo Template for Cities  This memo offers a template that cities can use to determine their current progress to be fully complaint with California Assembly Bill (AB) 1236. AB 1236 requires cities to update and streamline EV charging station permitting requirements. The memo provides a checklist for compliance and best practices and offers additional information on best practices recommended by California’s 2019 Governor’s Office of Business and  Economic Development (GOBIZ) EV Charging Permitting Guidebook to further foster EV charger  installations within a city. Additional resources, and an example of how a city may apply this template are available in the completed Policy Memo for the City of Covina
EV Policy Memo Example – City of Covina 

This memo was prepared to assist the City of Covina with understanding its current progress to be fully complaint with California Assembly Bill (AB) 1236. This is a completed version of the Template Memo above and describes best practices recommended to further foster EV charger installations within the City. In addition, the appendix includes several useful examples including:  

  • AB 1236 Sample Ordinance Template 
  • An example Eligibility Checklist for Expedited Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permit from the City of Monrovia  
  • An example Permitting Checklist for Electric Vehicle Service Equipment for Existing Residential and Nonresidential Buildings from the City of West Hollywood  
  • An example City Fleet policy from the City of Hermosa Beach  
  • The Traffic Operations Policy Directive regarding Zero Emission Vehicle Signs and Pavement Markings provided by the State of California Department of Transportation  
  • A report on Accessibility and Signage for Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, prepared by the CA Plug in EV Collaborative 
EV Funding Guide  A list of EV funding resources as of Feb 2023. For the most up to date info see the Alternative Fuels Data Center run by the US Department of Energy. 
Toolbox Tuesday Recording    In December 2022, the results of this planning study were shared in a Toolbox Tuesday. The recording can be found HERE.
Toolbox Tuesday Slidedeck  In December 2022, the results of this planning study were shared in a Toolbox Tuesday. The slidedeck for that presentation can be found HERE
Site Plan Template  This template provides an approach to site planning and cost estimates for EV Station Development. Estimates and guidelines are taken from the California Building Codes.
Site Plan Examples; City of Glendora  Using the results of the Site Suitability Analysis and input from the city, conceptual site plans and estimates were developed for 5 sites in the City of Glendora. A completed version of the Site Plan Template above, can be used to approach site owners and share information about site planning needs for EV Charging installation.   
EV Planning Guide for Cities  This guide was developed to assist cities in the SCAG region that are early in their EV journey better understand the broader EV landscape. It includes an overview of EV charging basics, funding for EV infrastructure, state requirements and design considerations, coordinating with utilities, local EV policy and procedures, and guidelines for successfully implementing electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS). 
EV Planning Guide for Property Managers   This guide was developed to assist commercial, retail, and multiunit dwelling (MUD) property owners and managers within the SCAG region understand the benefits and considerations of installing EV charging stations (EVCS) at their facilities. 
Regional Passenger Electric Vehicle (PEV) Infrastructure Plan and Final Report

This plan provides a roadmap to spur development of charging stations and support EV adoption across Southern California. One of SCAG’s goals of this project was to identify where EVCS should be located to best serve EV drivers, with a particular focus on serving people that live in MUDs, DACs, or other hard to reach segments. This plan serves as a final report for this study and describes results of study outreach and analysis, the expected demand for charging, and tools and guidance for cities to reach these goals. 

AB1236

AB1236 requires cities and counties in California to formally establish a streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) construction by September 30, 2017. As the sales of electric vehicles (EV) increase, the State views the implementation and adoption of EV infrastructure as not only a local issue but a statewide goal.
Check to see if your city is permit streamlined. 

Innovations In Clean Transit Webinar Series

Innovations in Clean Transit is a SCAG Clean Cities webinar series that showcases how Southern California transit agencies are going zero emission. With technologies and strategies like electric buses & charging infrastructure, hydrogen fueling stations, workforce reskilling, and public-private partnerships, clean transportation is a destination that has many possible routes.

Past Projects

Pathways to Clean Vehicle Technology and Alternative Fuels Implementation in San Bernardino County

This project looked at the vehicle-based portion of achieving GHG reduction goals and attaining criteria pollutant standards in the South Coast Air Basin, with a focus on San Bernardino County. Strategies for achieving these objectives differ in terms of their technological feasibility, emission reduction cost effectiveness, applicability to different segments of the vehicle population, infrastructure requirements, local economic benefits, and other factors. Given all these parameters, what is the optimal path forward?

The project also identified appropriate implementation strategies for local and regional agencies seeking to advance the penetration of clean vehicles and fuels.

Final Products
Title Description
Action Plan For San Bernardino County This Action Plan describes steps that local governments in San Bernardino County and their partners can take to increase the deployment and use of clean vehicles and fuels, and thereby help to improve air quality and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Final Report This Action Plan describes steps that local governments in San Bernardino County and their partners can take to increase the deployment and use of clean vehicles and fuels, and thereby help to improve air quality and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Literature Review

This report describes  Medium- and HeavyDuty Electrification technologies, current and forecasted trends in vehicle and battery costs, and the emissions benefits from these technologies. The literature review is divided into the following sections: Vehicle Technology Status and Cost, Battery Technology Status and Cost, Charging Technology Status and Cost, and Emissions.   The background section will review regulations and policies that are driving MD/HD electrification and investments being made to advance and implement the technologies.  Please note, this report was completed in December 2018 and technology updates are likely to have occurred. 

Barriers Report This technical memo identifies the economic, technological, policy, and other barriers associated with this transition, with a specific focus on San Bernardino County.
Implementation Strategies and Solutions

This memo identifies preliminary strategies and solutions to help local governments overcome these barriers and thereby advance clean vehicles and fuels in San Bernardino County. These strategies focus primarily on actions that local and regional public agencies can pursue.  Strategies are grouped into the following three categories:​ 

  • Municipal fleet vehicles – vehicles owned and operated by local governments.
  • Resident, worker, and visitor vehicles – primarily light-duty vehicles driven by those who live or work in the County
  • ​Commercial vehicles – primarily heavy-duty vehicles operated by or serving businesses in the County
Scenarios Analysis Report This report describes a scenario planning analysis conducted using an Excel-based dynamic tool that enables project stakeholders to analyze alternative paths for achieving emission reduction goals. The analytical tool considers individual strategies for different vehicles and fuel types—using metrics such as cost, emissions reductions, and emission reduction cost-effectiveness. Each alternative path or scenario for clean vehicle and fuels implementation is built up using a series of technology-specific strategies.

 

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Southern California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Readiness Initiative

Regional PEV Readiness

This initiative will develop a regional Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) Readiness Plan, with complementary model sub regional plans that advance strategies for the accelerated and streamlined deployment of PEV electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Additionally, the program will establish best practices for EV-ready building and public works guidelines, and help to streamline PEV EVSE permitting, installation, and inspection processes. This plan would become part of a larger push to establish support for the growth in PEV usage throughout California while promoting economic development within the green technology sector.

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