Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Skyrocketing PG&E Rates Put the Squeeze on EV Owners
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 1 year ago on
March 12, 2024

Share

Electric vehicle enthusiasts are starting to notice how skyrocketing PG&E rates are dipping into their wallets.

Long valued for their bargain-rate power, EVs are becoming more expensive to drive thanks to PG&E’s recent 20% electricity rate hike.

And, with more PG&E increases on the horizon, it’s natural to ask just how much it will cost to power an EV in 2035 — when California ends the sale of new gasoline-engine cars.

For people who pay close attention, it’s easy to draw a comparison to how new state regulations are making it increasingly unattractive to add solar panels to a roof.

Do California leaders really want to fight climate change?

The question is asked because the state and electricity providers are taking away the incentives that made EVs and solar systems attractive in the first place.

EVs Cheaper to Operate, More Expensive to Buy

For the record: It’s still cheaper to charge an EV than to fill up with gas or diesel. However, CalMatters reported last July that the average cost of an electric car was $53,469 — about $5,000 more than the average new internal combustion engine car.

Clearly, acquisition cost is a barrier to buying an EV. And, as electricity charges rise, more Californians will decide to stick with gas for as long as they can.

Los Altos Hills resident Barry Smith, an early adopter of EVs, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he’s noticed his PG&E bill is much higher this year.

“The big financial advantage was fuel savings: the more you drove, the greater the savings,” Smith said. “If there’s not that much savings, people are going to wait.”

Special PG&E Rate Plans for EVs

Meanwhile, PG&E wants EV owners to know about its special EV rate plans. The utility says that if drivers charge their cars at home, the cost is $3.23 to $3.29 for the electricity equivalent of a gallon of gasoline.

Read more at the San Francisco Chronicle.

 

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Southwest Airlines To Require Chargers Be in View During Use Due to Fire Concerns

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Man Charged With Animal Cruelty After Hundreds of Dead Animals Found

DON'T MISS

The Personal Secretary and Adviser to Mexico City’s Mayor Are Shot Dead

DON'T MISS

‘Dried Out Prune’? ‘Corrupt’ and ‘Incompetent’? It’s Getting Nasty Between Springsteen and Trump

DON'T MISS

Newsom’s Budget Cuts Anger Allies and Leave the State’s Chronic Deficit Unresolved

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Delegation Takes Field Trip to Bus Depot

DON'T MISS

Trump Selects Concept for $175B ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defense System

DON'T MISS

US Expected to Declare Biden Fuel Economy Rules Exceeded Legal Authority

DON'T MISS

George Wendt, Who Played a Beloved Barfly on ‘Cheers,’ Dies at 76

DON'T MISS

Fresno Supervisors Go After Catalytic Converter Thieves With New Ordinance

UP NEXT

Fresno County Man Charged With Animal Cruelty After Hundreds of Dead Animals Found

UP NEXT

The Personal Secretary and Adviser to Mexico City’s Mayor Are Shot Dead

UP NEXT

‘Dried Out Prune’? ‘Corrupt’ and ‘Incompetent’? It’s Getting Nasty Between Springsteen and Trump

UP NEXT

Newsom’s Budget Cuts Anger Allies and Leave the State’s Chronic Deficit Unresolved

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified Delegation Takes Field Trip to Bus Depot

UP NEXT

Trump Selects Concept for $175B ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defense System

UP NEXT

US Expected to Declare Biden Fuel Economy Rules Exceeded Legal Authority

UP NEXT

George Wendt, Who Played a Beloved Barfly on ‘Cheers,’ Dies at 76

UP NEXT

Fresno Supervisors Go After Catalytic Converter Thieves With New Ordinance

UP NEXT

Musk, Republican Party’s Biggest Donor, Says He Will Cut Political Spending

‘Dried Out Prune’? ‘Corrupt’ and ‘Incompetent’? It’s Getting Nasty Between Springsteen and Trump

6 hours ago

Newsom’s Budget Cuts Anger Allies and Leave the State’s Chronic Deficit Unresolved

6 hours ago

Fresno Unified Delegation Takes Field Trip to Bus Depot

7 hours ago

Trump Selects Concept for $175B ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defense System

7 hours ago

US Expected to Declare Biden Fuel Economy Rules Exceeded Legal Authority

8 hours ago

George Wendt, Who Played a Beloved Barfly on ‘Cheers,’ Dies at 76

9 hours ago

Fresno Supervisors Go After Catalytic Converter Thieves With New Ordinance

10 hours ago

Musk, Republican Party’s Biggest Donor, Says He Will Cut Political Spending

10 hours ago

Fresno Smoke Shops Sue City Hall, Want to Block New Rules

11 hours ago

Why California’s Biggest Local Effort to Fight Homelessness Is Starting All Over Again

11 hours ago

Southwest Airlines To Require Chargers Be in View During Use Due to Fire Concerns

Passengers on Southwest Airlines flights will soon be required to keep their portable chargers in plain sight while using them because of co...

6 hours ago

6 hours ago

Southwest Airlines To Require Chargers Be in View During Use Due to Fire Concerns

6 hours ago

Fresno County Man Charged With Animal Cruelty After Hundreds of Dead Animals Found

6 hours ago

The Personal Secretary and Adviser to Mexico City’s Mayor Are Shot Dead

6 hours ago

‘Dried Out Prune’? ‘Corrupt’ and ‘Incompetent’? It’s Getting Nasty Between Springsteen and Trump

6 hours ago

Newsom’s Budget Cuts Anger Allies and Leave the State’s Chronic Deficit Unresolved

7 hours ago

Fresno Unified Delegation Takes Field Trip to Bus Depot

Golden Dome for America
7 hours ago

Trump Selects Concept for $175B ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defense System

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks to the media outside the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 6, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File Photo
8 hours ago

US Expected to Declare Biden Fuel Economy Rules Exceeded Legal Authority

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend