Payam Javan: As California faces widespread power outages due to ongoing wildfires, electric vehicle (EV) owners are expressing concerns about their ability to charge vehicles during evacuations. The push for increased EV adoption by President Joe Biden and Governor Gavin Newsom has led to a rise in EV ownership across the state. However, the current crisis has highlighted challenges in ensuring reliable access to charging infrastructure during emergencies.

The wildfires have resulted in over 100,000 evacuations and significant disruptions to the power grid. This situation has intensified “range anxiety” among EV drivers, who fear depleting their vehicle’s battery before reaching safety or a functional charging station. The lack of power not only hampers evacuation efforts but also raises questions about the resilience of the state’s charging network in disaster scenarios.

In response to these challenges, state officials are exploring solutions to bolster the reliability of EV charging infrastructure during emergencies. Proposed measures include increasing the deployment of mobile charging units, enhancing the resilience of the power grid, and expanding the network of charging stations equipped with backup power sources. These efforts aim to ensure that EV owners can evacuate safely during crises, aligning with California’s broader environmental goals.