Charging Up the Sierra: How EV Infrastructure Can Power Our Regional Economy

California is accelerating toward an electric transportation future, with policies and investments that make electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible than ever. While much of the spotlight falls on major metro areas, rural regions like the Sierra are poised to benefit in big ways if the infrastructure is in place to support the transition.

The Sierra Can Lead in California’s Clean Transportation Push

California’s commitment to expanding EV use is reshaping how people travel, commute, and explore the state. As more residents and visitors switch to electric vehicles, charging availability is essential. Not only for convenience, but for ensuring rural communities remain accessible and connected.

With long stretches of highway, scenic destinations, and communities spread across a wide geography, the Sierra stands to gain tremendously from strategic EV charging locations. Investing in this infrastructure means the region will remain competitive, resilient, and ready for the future.

Why EV Charging Is Good for Business

EV charging stations do more than power cars, they power local economies.

Communities with accessible charging often see:

• Increased visitor traffic, especially from travelers planning routes around charging stops

• More spending at nearby restaurants, shops, lodging, and attractions

• Stronger visibility on regional and national EV travel apps

• Improved mobility for workers, residents, and service providers

• Revitalization of commercial corridors and downtowns

In fact, a recent study of over 4,000 EV charging stations and 140,000 business establishments in California found that installing a charging station “boosts annual spending at a nearby establishment by 1.4% ($1,478) in 2019 and 0.8% ($404) from January 2021 to June 2023.” The effect was even stronger for businesses within about 330 ft of a station, with those locations seeing spending increases of 2.7% in 2019 and 3.2% from 2021–2023. A summary of the findings shows that public EV charging stations “tend to attract higher-income, exploratory visitors as well as local residents,” which suggests EV chargers draw people more likely to spend at local businesses.

For a region built on tourism, recreation, and rural entrepreneurship, EV charging can spark new growth and expand economic opportunity in the Central Sierras.

Preparing the Sierra for the Road Ahead

As California continues to prioritize EV adoption, the Sierra region has a chance to proactively position itself as a clean-energy leader. Expanding EV charging infrastructure ensures that our communities remain destinations of choice for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

By embracing this transition, we can strengthen our economy, enhance regional connectivity, and support a more sustainable future one charging station at a time.

To help accelerate this transition, the Central Sierra Economic Development District (CSEDD), in partnership with Momentum, recently secured a $4 million Rural Electric Vehicle Charging (REV 2.0) grant to expand public EV charging infrastructure across the Sierra. This program offers a rare opportunity for businesses an

d property owners to receive EV charging stations at no cost, with installation, equipment, and evaluation fully covered. CSEDD is currently hosting a series of short informational webinars for interested sites. These sessions provide an overview of the program, eligibility details, funding support, and next steps for participating locations.

Upcoming Webinars:

RSVP Form: https://forms.gle/ahTqo9ZvKE65A52Z7

• Thursday, Dec 11 | 1–2 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81796589152

• Monday, Dec 15 | 5–6 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82846814717

• Thursday, Dec 18 | 9–10 AM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89761038611

Businesses and property owners throughout the Sierra are encouraged to attend and learn more about how they can benefit from this time-sensitive, grant-funded opportunity.