A pair of new reports from San Francisco-based Next10 and Pike Research conclude that the electric vehicle industry is alive and growing, with California leading the way. In its news report “Powering Innovation,” Next10 finds that California ranks first in venture capital investment in electric vehicle-related technologies and patents and has the most electric vehicle charging stations per capita. In its “EVs: Ten Predictions for 2012,” Pike Research, meanwhile, forecasts more than a quarter-million plug-in electric vehicles will be sold in the nation this year." Read more here.

Palo Alto officials have adopted a new policy to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations. Under the new policy, the city will provide incentives for customers to charge their vehicles during off-peak hours and provide a "quick and efficient" permitting and inspection process for the installation of chargers. Read more here.

On December 15th, the UC Davis Plug-In Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center presented findings from current research projects at PG&E’s Pacific Energy Center. Featured presentations at this EV Research Symposium included discussions on the impact of workplace charging, the dynamics of fast charging networks, projects such as the City of San Francisco Fleet & Chrysler PHEV Pickup Project, and more.  Presentations and related publications can be found on the UC Davis PH & EV Research Center's research webpage.

Workshops for Multifamily Buildings were held in San Francisco on December 12th and 15th to introduce property managers and owners to the ChargePoint California Demonstration Project.  The project provides San Francisco apartment buildings, condos, and co-ops guidance on how to apply for free electric vehicle chargers, including some or all of the installation costs.  As part of its MultiCharge SF initiative, SF Environment is helping property managers, owners, and residents of multifamily buildings make the move to electric vehicles.  Implementation of the demonstration project is a collaborative effort by Coulomb Technologies, SFE, PG&E, and the California Energy Commission.

To view project details or download application materials, please click here.