Electrifying Lake Tahoe - Solid EV plans for today and preparing for the future

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the increased availability of electric vehicles (EV) from multiple automobile companies, the need increases for charging stations. Since I80 and US50 are both what are deemed "alternative fuel corridors," there must be a station every 50 miles and within one mile of that highway but there is no requirement within cities and counties. In a tourist destination like Lake Tahoe, stations need to be strategically placed for their travel while also meeting the needs of residents.

Six years ago, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) partnered with the Truckee Donner Public Utility District to create an Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan for the whole Lake Tahoe Basin and Truckee. Since I80 goes through Truckee, proper planning and preparation for a future of electric cars needed to be completed. Since that plan's adoption in 2017, there has been a 50 percent increase in the number of public EV chargers in the region.

Over the past year, TRPA has worked on many EV projects and not just for cars, including the following:

Supporting electric boat infrastructure
Awarded the City of South Lake Tahoe a grant to support the electrification of Lake Link
Adopting code of ordinance changes to make installing EV chargers easier (coverage exemptions, minimum requirements for new development, etc., and an upcoming vote making transfer of coverage for a charger)

For vehicles, the strategy has been coordinated between two states and different counties. There are still gaps in coverage with several charging stations on the South Shore, Truckee, and Tahoe City, but gaps along the west shore and east shore.

One nice thing coming along is Tesla and other single-manufacturer EV chargers are becoming universal, meaning different makes can use multiple types of chargers.

With California EV mandates, and more All Wheel Drive and diesel turning to electric vehicles coming, Middlebrook says they want to be prepared for the surge and have enough stations for locals and visitors.

TRPA is one step in determining where an EV station can or should be placed in a local jurisdiction. Another step is with Liberty on the California side and NV Energy on the Nevada side of the lake. Sometimes an EV charging station company will consult with the local jurisdictions as to where they should be placed, but most of the time the companies already know due to their research and data, and EV charger maps like the one seen here - https://chargehub.com/en/Charging-Stations-Map.html.

As the ownership of an electric vehicle becomes easier (lower prices and more manufacturers), TRPA will be updating the data in the readiness plan and maps of gaps. They will be tracking numbers and locations of owners in 2024, and that information will feed into the next regional plan update in 2025, according to TRPA Government Affairs Manager Devin Middlebrook.

Liberty has an online portal for those interested in installing EV charging stations in its territory, including Lake Tahoe's California side. Their engineers review the application, seeing if there is already the required power to the area or if needs upgrades up to new poles and wires.

The steps necessary to install charging steps may take months since the process includes local jurisdiction permitting.

One of the most valuable locations for EV drivers to find charging is where they are staying and can charge overnight. The overnight chargers are more affordable than the high-power quick chargers like the new Tesla charging station in Meyers near Holiday Market.

Charging is also valuable for short stops, like convenience stores and lunch locations. In this case, high-power charging is the best choice, so that drivers can get a meaningful charge from even a 15-minute stop, according to Matt Newberry of Liberty. He is currently working on getting a station in state parks on the west shore to fill one of the gap areas.

Besides lodging properties, resorts and businesses, residents are encouraged to look into having the ability to charge their EV cars at home. Some residents have been able to go solar and charge their cars easily, but there are other ways besides solar. Some short-term rentals have added a charging station to their property for guest use.

At this time, Newberry says they have found that the areas with the greatest need for EV charging stations are outside the basin. Many heading to Tahoe along US395 find gaps and Walker, Calif., at Liberty's southernmost end, is getting two new charges within the month.