The Expert Podcast

• California plans to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035, which is still over a decade away, but the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is already underway.
• Recently, California experienced power grid strain due to extreme heat, leading utility operators to ask residents to avoid charging their electric vehicles to prevent blackouts.
• Currently, electric vehicles make up about 5% of the vehicles on the road in California. With the transition to 100% electric vehicles, the need for new charging infrastructure connected to the power grid will grow significantly.
• On top of the increased demand from EVs, California is also banning new hookups for propane or gas appliances in households, adding pressure on the power grid with the shift to electric alternatives in appliances like water heaters, stoves, and dryers.
• The question remains: By 2035, will there be enough grid capacity to support the increase in electric vehicles, appliances, and overall household energy demand? Or will there be times when people can't even charge their EVs at home?
• What do you think? Is this a game of chicken or an accident waiting to happen? Do the regulatory agencies and power grid operators have a solid plan, or are they in over their heads? Are you concerned about owning an electric vehicle and the potential difficulty in charging it at home? Let us know your thoughts!