SACRAMENTO — On July 5, 2023, SB 233 passed out of the Assembly Transportation Committee by a nine to four vote. Introduced by Senator Nancy Skinner and co-sponsored by The Climate Center, Nuvve, and the Union of Concerned Scientists, the bill will require most new electric vehicles (EVs) sold in California to have bidirectional charging capability by 2030. Bidirectional charging makes it possible for electric vehicles to become “batteries on wheels” — capable of using the energy stored in their batteries to back up the power grid, homes, and businesses.
“As California prepares for more dangerous heat waves this summer, we should be looking to the batteries in our electric vehicles to avoid blackouts — not polluting, fossil fuel power plants,” said Nicole Rivera, Government Affairs Director for The Climate Center. “SB 233 will help communities across California keep the lights on, clean the air, and advance climate justice, all while lowering energy prices for consumers. We thank the Assembly Transportation Committee for supporting this bill, bringing us one step closer to a cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable electricity system for all Californians.”
SB 233 will next be heard in the Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee (date to be announced).
ENDS
Contact:
Ryan Schleeter, Communications Director, The Climate Center: ryan@theclimatecenter.org, (415) 342-2386
About The Climate Center:
The Climate Center is a climate and energy policy nonprofit working to rapidly reduce climate pollution at scale, starting in California. We are a think-tank, do-tank working to turn bold ideas into action for a climate-safe future. Our flagship Climate-Safe California campaign is a unique and comprehensive effort to make California the first state in the nation to reach carbon negative. www.theclimatecenter.org
