BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE BILL NO: SB 1455
SENATOR ALAN LOWENTHAL, CHAIRMAN AUTHOR: kehoe
VERSION: 4/13/10
Analysis by: Carrie Cornwell FISCAL: yes
Hearing date: April 20, 2010
SUBJECT:
Plug-in hybrid electric and all-electric vehicles: consumer
information
DESCRIPTION:
This bill requires, by January 1, 2013, that the Public
Utilities Commission (PUC), in consultation with specified
parties, develop a website to inform consumers who are
considering the purchase of a partially or fully electric
vehicle about the costs of fueling that vehicle.
ANALYSIS:
In 2006, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed AB 32
(N??ez and Pavley), Chapter 488, to establish a statewide
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limit such that by 2020
California reduces its GHG emissions to the level they were in
1990.
Existing law authorizes the California Energy Resources
Conservation and Development Commission (CEC) to monitor
transportation fuel supplies and prices in California, including
publishing a biennial integrated energy policy report that
examines issues of supply, demand, and supply reliability for
transportation fuel.
Existing law charges the California Air Resource Board (ARB)
with primary responsibility for the control of mobile source air
pollution, including the adoption of rules for the reduction of
harmful vehicle emissions and the specification of vehicular
fuel composition.
Existing law requires the PUC, in consultation with the CEC,
SB 1455 (KEHOE) Page 2
ARB, the air quality management districts and air pollution
control districts, regulated electrical and natural gas
corporations, and the motor vehicle industry to evaluate and
implement policies that promote the use of electric power and
natural gas to fuel low-emission vehicles. The PUC shall report
every two years beginning January 30, 1993, on the policy it and
other agencies implement.
Existing law requires the PUC, in consultation with the CEC,
ARB, electrical corporations, and the motor vehicle industry, to
evaluate policies to develop infrastructure sufficient to
overcome any barriers to the widespread deployment and use of
plug-in hybrid electric and all-electric vehicles. By July 1,
2011, the PUC shall adopt rules to address the fueling
infrastructure needs of these vehicles.
This bill requires the PUC, in consultation with the CEC,
electrical corporations, the motor vehicle industry, and the
California Electric Transportation Coalition, to develop an
internet website to inform consumers considering purchasing a
plug-in hybrid electric or a fully electric vehicle of the costs
and charging infrastructure associated with fueling that
vehicle. The website shall include all of the following:
Information to assist a consumer in determining whether
buying such a vehicle will require a utility service
upgrade.
Basic charging circuit requirements.
Utility rate options.
Load management techniques.
Any other information that the PUC determines is needed to
fully inform the consumer of the essential costs of, and
infrastructure required for, charging that vehicle.
COMMENTS:
1.Purpose . The author notes that major auto manufacturers will
be introducing new electric vehicles and plug-in electric
vehicles in the fall of 2010 and early 2011, and as consumers
seek to purchase these vehicles they will need information to
understand the relationship between their home, the
electricity grid, and how they could fuel the car they are
considering purchasing. This bill requires the PUC, CEC, and
the motor vehicle industry to develop a website for potential
buyers of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles thus ensuring
that the state's energy regulator and the state's energy
SB 1455 (KEHOE) Page 3
commission are involved in developing that needed information
and making it accessible to consumers.
2.Plug-in hybrid vehicles . Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
(PHEVs) are powered both by an engine that runs on a fuel,
such as gasoline, and an electric motor that runs on a
battery, which is rechargeable by plugging it into an
electrical outlet. With the exception of a small number of
demonstration vehicles, the only plug-in hybrids available
today are conversions of the commercially available standard
hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius. Plug-in conversions are
reported to get around 100 miles to the gallon.
3.California Electric Transportation Coalition . This bill
specifically designates the California Electric Transportation
Coalition as a party that the PUC shall consult in developing
the website required under this bill. California Electric
Transportation Coalition bills itself as a nonprofit
association of companies that work to build and shape the
future market for electric-drive vehicles. The membership
consists primarily of private and public electric utilities.
4.Committee of second referral . The Rules Committee referred
this bill to the Energy, Utilities, and Communications
Committee and to the Transportation and Housing Committee.
This bill passed that committee on April 6, 2009 by a 10 to 0
vote.
5.Technical amendments .
On page 3, line 11 after "upgrade" insert "at the
consumer's home"
On page 3, line 13, delete "Rate" and insert "Utility
rate"
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the Committee before noon on
Wednesday,
April 14, 2010)
SUPPORT: None received.
OPPOSED: None received.