Panel to look at infrastructure needed if California is to achieve its zero-emissions goals.

SACRAMENTO – State lawmakers will hold a hearing in Sacramento Monday on California’s readiness to accommodate a significant shift to zero-emission electric cars in coming years.

California has mandated that more than 1 out of 10 cars sold in the state be zero-emission vehicles by next year. And major auto manufacturers are gearing up to fill that need. By the year 2016, the goal is for 1 in 6 new cars to operate without gasoline.

But even if car companies can deliver enough electric vehicles, it’s unclear whether California has the infrastructure to handle them.

“We can’t assume that every need will be taken care of with wall sockets in our garages,” said Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, who chairs the Transportation Committee.

“There are a lot of questions to be answered,” she said. “Do we have adequate power lines? Where will we charge when we’re away from home? And what will we do with all those batteries?”

Lowenthal’s Transportation Committee will join with the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, chaired by Assemblymember Steven Bradford, D-Inglewood, for the joint hearing.

The hearing will include presentations from regulators, auto manufacturers, electricity providers, and other stakeholders. It is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., Monday, May 24, in Room 4202 of the State Capitol.

Contact: Will Shuck @ (916) 319-2054