California Air Resources Board

Summary

Authorizes the California Energy Commission (CEC), in consultation with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and CARB, to require any weight class of battery electric vehicle (BEV) to be bidirectional-capable if the CEC determines there is a sufficiently compelling beneficial bidirectional-capable use case to the BEV operator and electrical grid. Authorizes the CEC and CARB to periodically update definitions related to BEVs and service equipment. SB 233 (Skinner) was the original version of this bill that gutted and amended to address an abortion issue.

View full bill text here

Governor’s Signing Message

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am signing Senate Bill 59, which would authorize the California Energy Commission (CEC), in consultation with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), to require any weight class of battery electric vehicle (BEV) to be bidirectional-capable if it determines there is a sufficiently compelling beneficial bidirectional-capable use case to the BEV operator and electric grid.

Bidirectional capabilities in BEVs have the potential to improve customer energy reliability, resiliency and demand management during electric grid stress events, while supporting our state's transition to zero-emission transportation. Achieving these outcomes requires close technical alignment between the BEV and bidirectional charging equipment that must also factor in vehicle standards generally, as well as electric rates and potential electric grid effects.

Given the technical complexities of bidirectional charging with BEVs, and the relationship between such standards and vehicle standards already set by CARB, I am directing the CEC to lean on the experience of the CPUC and CARB should it promulgate regulations pursuant to this bill to advance bidirectional-capable BEVs.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s signing message here