California’s EV Charging Innovation Roadmap Expert Insights from Jody Benson Sharp.docx

California’s bold commitment to clean transportation has made it a beacon for the global electric vehicle (EV) revolution. With over 1.5 million EVs already on its roads and an ambitious goal to achieve 100% zero-emission new vehicle sales by 2035, the state’s future depends on how well it strengthens its charging infrastructure.

1. California’s EV Charging Innovation Roadmap Expert Insights from Jody
Benson Sharp
California’s bold commitment to clean transportation has made it a beacon for the global electric
vehicle (EV) revolution. With over 1.5 million EVs already on its roads and an ambitious goal to
achieve 100% zero-emission new vehicle sales by 2035, the state’s future depends on how well
it strengthens its charging infrastructure.
Sustainability advocate and financial strategist Jody Benson Sharp offers strategic guidance on
how California can expand and modernize its EV charging network using innovation,
community engagement, and financial intelligence.
1. Laying the Foundation for a Future-Ready Network
California’s EV growth story is impressive, but the expansion of charging infrastructure must
accelerate to meet demand. The state currently leads the U.S. in the number of public chargers,
yet there are still wide disparities across regions.
Sharp emphasizes, “Infrastructure is the backbone of the EV movement. It’s not just about
installing more chargers — it’s about creating a smart, equitable, and sustainable network that
supports every Californian.”
The first step is mapping charging deserts, ensuring rural and underserved communities have
access equal to urban hubs like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
2. Building Smarter Charging Corridors
Intercity and interstate travel are key to EV adoption. California’s vast highways, such as
Interstate 5 and Highway 101, are perfect candidates for fast-charging corridors.
Sharp suggests placing DC fast chargers every 40–50 miles, equipped with rest facilities, solar
roofs, and digital payment systems. These “smart corridors” not only support long-distance travel
but also stimulate local business growth by attracting eco-conscious travelers.
She adds, “When drivers know they can recharge easily anywhere they go, range anxiety
disappears — and confidence in electric mobility grows.”
3. Renewable Energy Integration
To ensure true sustainability, California’s EV charging ecosystem must run on clean power.
Sharp advocates for large-scale integration of solar, wind, and battery storage systems.
Charging stations can generate their own renewable electricity through solar canopies installed
on rooftops and parking lots. Meanwhile, battery energy storage helps balance supply and
demand by storing excess energy for use during peak hours or outages.

2. This dual model strengthens energy resilience and reduces dependence on fossil-fuel-based
power.
4. Supporting Home and Workplace Charging
For most EV owners, convenience begins at home. Sharp stresses that expanding residential
charging programs — including rebates, low-interest loans, and tax incentives — can
encourage more households to install home chargers.
At the same time, workplace charging helps commuters charge during the day, easing evening
grid demand. Corporate campuses, shopping centers, and universities can collaborate with
utilities to deploy shared or solar-powered charging systems, making sustainability both
accessible and economical.
5. Modernizing California’s Grid
With more EVs plugging in every day, California’s electric grid faces new challenges. Sharp
highlights the need for grid modernization and smart energy management.
Upgrading to a smart grid allows dynamic energy flow, automatic load balancing, and
predictive maintenance. Utilities can use time-of-use pricing to encourage off-peak charging,
lowering costs for consumers while preventing grid stress.
Smart meters, AI algorithms, and data analytics can further optimize power distribution across
charging stations statewide.
6. The Role of Technology in EV Infrastructure
The future of EV charging lies in technological innovation. According to Jody Benson Sharp,
AI, IoT, and cloud computing will drive the next wave of transformation.
She envisions a network where every charging station communicates with vehicles and the grid
in real time — predicting demand, allocating energy efficiently, and detecting issues before they
occur.
Smartphone apps can show real-time charger availability, predict wait times, and enable
contactless payments, enhancing user experience and transparency.
7. Financial Innovation: Powering the Transition
As a financial expert, Sharp highlights that funding is the linchpin of infrastructure
development. She recommends leveraging green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and
climate funds to attract both private and institutional investors.

3. “Clean energy investment is not a cost — it’s an opportunity,” Sharp explains. “By aligning
finance with sustainability, California can create an ecosystem where profit and purpose move
together.”
She also encourages the use of public-private partnerships (PPPs), where businesses,
developers, and government agencies co-invest in charging networks to accelerate growth.
8. Expanding Equity and Access
A truly sustainable future must include everyone. Sharp stresses the need to focus on equity in
infrastructure planning, ensuring that disadvantaged communities have the same access to EV
charging as urban centers.
Programs like California’s Clean Transportation Equity Project can be scaled up to fund
charging stations in low-income neighborhoods, public housing, and community centers.
“Clean mobility is not a luxury — it’s a right,” says Sharp. “Every Californian deserves the
opportunity to be part of this transformation.”
9. Enhancing Reliability and Maintenance
Broken or offline chargers remain one of the biggest frustrations for EV drivers. Sharp
recommends investing in predictive maintenance systems and data-driven service contracts
that track performance metrics in real time.
Operators should be required to maintain at least 95% uptime, ensuring reliability and
consistency across the network. Public dashboards displaying station performance can further
promote transparency and accountability.
10. Electrifying Public and Commercial Fleets
Public fleets — buses, postal vehicles, and service trucks — contribute significantly to
emissions. Sharp sees electrifying these fleets as a high-impact strategy that can cut pollution
while showcasing government leadership.
Dedicated fleet charging hubs, powered by renewable energy and equipped with fast chargers,
can reduce operational costs and boost energy efficiency. Similar models can be adopted by
delivery and logistics companies statewide.
11. Localized Innovation and Community Collaboration
California’s strength lies in its local diversity. Sharp suggests empowering cities and counties to
design tailored charging strategies based on regional needs.
For example:

4. San Diego could expand its solar-powered coastal stations.
Sacramento could create public fleet depots with smart grid integration.
Fresno and Bakersfield could focus on community charging hubs for rural drivers.
Collaborating with local governments ensures each project is relevant, inclusive, and sustainable.
12. Embracing Future-Ready Technologies
As EV technology evolves, California’s infrastructure must remain flexible. Sharp highlights
three emerging innovations that will define the next decade:
Ultra-fast 350 kW chargers capable of adding hundreds of miles in minutes.
Wireless inductive charging integrated into roadways and parking lots.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) systems allowing cars to send energy back to the grid during
peak demand.
“Future-readiness means building infrastructure that grows with technology, not against it,”
Sharp emphasizes.
13. Education and Public Awareness
Public education is vital for accelerating EV adoption. Sharp believes that community outreach
and digital awareness campaigns can dispel myths about cost, charging speed, and battery life.
Workshops, school programs, and collaborations with automakers can help drivers understand
the financial and environmental benefits of switching to electric vehicles.
14. The Road Ahead: Vision, Collaboration, and Resilience
California’s EV journey is far from over — but its direction is clear. The path forward requires
collaboration between government agencies, private investors, engineers, and everyday citizens.
Jody Benson Sharp envisions a California where every driver has access to clean, fast, and
affordable charging, powered entirely by renewable energy.
She concludes, “California’s electric future is not just about vehicles — it’s about vision. If we
can build a network that serves both people and the planet, we can redefine what sustainable
progress means for generations to come.”
Conclusion
California’s EV charging innovation roadmap is a blend of policy, technology, and financial
intelligence. Guided by experts like Jody Benson Sharp, the state can create a model for the
world — one where sustainability, equity, and profitability coexist.

5. Every charging station installed is a symbol of progress — a step toward a cleaner, more
connected, and resilient California.