A turning point in electrification
California has officially hit a major milestone in its electric vehicle transition: the state now has 48% more EV chargers than gasoline pumps. According to the California Energy Commission, there are approximately 178,000 public and shared private chargers across the state, compared to about 120,000 gas nozzles. On the surface, the announcement is a huge win for electrification. But does the figure actually reflect an easier charging reality for EV drivers?
A matter of charging speed
Unlike gas stations, where a quick stop can refill a tank in minutes, EV chargers come in different tiers of speed. The vast majority — 162,000 of them — are slower Level 2 chargers, which can take hours to fully charge a battery. Only about 17,000 are DC fast chargers, which offer a much closer experience to a traditional gas station fill-up. While most EV owners charge at home, long-distance travelers and those without home charging rely heavily on these fast-charging stations.
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California government data shows that charging access has expanded rapidly in recent years, with the number of available plugs nearly doubling in 2024 alone. That aligns with the state’s EV boom — about a quarter of all new car sales last year were electric — though the pace of growth has started to taper off.
The infrastructure push continues
To support the growing demand, California is pushing forward with a $1.4 billion plan to expand charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The state also aims to speed up the permitting process and improve charger reliability. These efforts will be crucial as California inches toward its aggressive zero-emission goals: 68% of new cars sold by 2030 must be electric, with gas car sales banned entirely by 2035.
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“The California EV driver experience is getting better by the day,” said California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild. “The state will continue to heavily invest in EV infrastructure, with particular emphasis in hard-to-reach areas, making these vehicles an easy choice for new car buyers.”
Facing a federal roadblock?
Governor Gavin Newsom has framed California’s charging expansion as a direct contrast to federal efforts to scale back EV incentives. “As the federal government works to make it harder for you to charge your electric car, California is doing the opposite,” Newsom said in a statement.
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The Biden administration had previously allocated federal funds for charging infrastructure, but that progress could be reversed if he Trump administration rolls back EV-friendly policies. The potential for legal battles over California’s ability to set stricter emissions rules could also impact future EV growth.
Final thoughts
For now, California continues to lead the nation in EV adoption, and the charging network is rapidly expanding. But the experience of driving and charging an EV isn’t just about the number of chargers, it’s about where they are, how fast they work, and how reliable they remain. Until those factors improve, some drivers might still think twice before making the switch.
