Comite Civico, City of Calipatria Unveil 4 EV Charging Stations

CALIPATRIA — California Energy Commission and state Environmental Protection Agency officials helped local and environmental justice leaders commemorate expanding electric vehicle infrastructure to an underserved area like Calipatria with the introduction of four EV fast chargers.

The city of Calipatria, along with Comite Civico del Valle Inc., marked the completion of construction of yet another segment of CCV’s Lithium Valley EV Charger Equity Initiative with establishing the EV chargers at the Sun Community Federal Credit Union Calipatria branch. 

A ceremony involving local leaders, including city officials and CCV staff and leadership, along with guests California Energy Commissioner Patricia Monahan and California Secretary for Environmental Protection Yana Garcia, was held outside the Sun Community branch on Thursday morning, June 13.

“The installation of these EV fast chargers marks a significant step forward for our community,” Calipatria Mayor Sylvia Chavez said in a statement. “As the city gateway to Lithium Valley, we are proud to be part of an initiative that not only promotes sustainable transportation but also ensures that the benefits of clean energy reach every corner of our region.”

The establishment of four fast chargers in Calipatria through Comite Civico’s initiative follows the successful launch of four similar charging stations by CCV in Calexico in December 2023; Calexico was the first site in the initiative.

The Lithium Valley EV Charger Equity Initiative is a community-owned, non-profit model dedicated to building and operating an EV charging station network throughout the Imperial Valley, according to CCV. Given that Imperial County has the lowest rate of EV chargers per capita among California’s 58 counties, Comite Civico looks to install 20 publicly accessible charging stations across the region. Future EV fast chargers are planned for the cities of Brawley and El Centro.

“The Lithium Valley EV Charger Equity Initiative is about more than just infrastructure. It’s about environmental justice and providing equitable access to clean energy solutions. We are committed to making sure that rural and underserved communities are not left behind in the transition to electric vehicles,” Luis Olmedo, executive director of CCV, said in a statement. “We are especially thankful to Sun Community Federal Credit Union’s Calipatria branch for their partnership in being a host site for this project.”

The Lithium Valley EV Charger Equity Initiative addresses the disparity in EV charger distribution, ensuring rural and underserved communities have access to clean energy technologies. This initiative supports the broader goal of equitable access to EV infrastructure across California, aiming to reduce environmental and health disparities while uplifting under-represented communities, according to CCV. The chargers were acquired with philanthropic support from General Motors, The Waverley Street Foundation, United Auto Workers and the California Energy Commission.

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CCV is the first community non-profit based organization to meet all the requirements of the state’s Golden State Priority Project – CALeVIP 2.0 rebate program. As the first environmental justice organization to achieve this, CCV serves as a blueprint for other regions to follow in promoting similar local nonprofit ownership, according to the local environmental justice group.

“Robust zero-emission infrastructure is vital to electrifying transportation in the Imperial Valley, and across the state. It’s also important to securing the air quality and public health benefits that electrification will bring,” EPA’s Garcia said in a statement. “As we continue to deliver on the state’s aggressive zero emission targets, we must also continue to support projects like these — projects that ensure that the benefits of this transition are felt in every region of our state.”

“Transportation is the biggest source of harmful air pollution which disproportionately impacts low-income communities. The Energy Commission is proud to support the funding of this project to provide access to EV fast chargers, which is only the second of five total sites in addition to four others that Comite Civico del Valle is building in the Imperial Valley area,” Commissioner Monahan said in a statement. 

“Our hope is that greater access to EV chargers like these will encourage more EV adoption in the Valley, saving drivers money on fuel and maintenance costs while helping clean the air,” Monahan added.