Electric Vehicle Planning

Monterey Bay Area Electric Vehicle Climate Adaptation and Resiliency (EV CAR) Framework 

AMBAG is creating a plan for our region’s network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to be more resilient to climate change impacts and to best meet community needs. 

As more people switch to EVs, we need to expand our charging network. At the same time, our region’s charging infrastructure needs to be resilient to the growing climate hazards we face – from inland and coastal flooding to extreme weather, heat, and wildfires. Through this project, we are creating a forward-looking EV infrastructure strategy that addresses the region’s existing gaps, evolving needs, and builds climate resilience into the future. 

This is the place to learn more about the project and how you can get involved. We will be updating this webpage to share project updates, resources, and upcoming events and opportunities to share your ideas, input, and feedback. 

About the Project 

The Monterey Bay EV CAR Framework project aims to safeguard existing EV infrastructure from climate impacts and identify optimal sites for future investments in EV charging stations. To work towards these goals, this project will: 

• Conduct a technical analysis of existing EV charging infrastructure, including a climate vulnerability and risk assessment; 

• Analyze demographic and travel pattern data to identify where new charging stations are most needed now and in the future; 

• Engage community members to co-design climate resiliency strategies; and 

• Develop specific implementation plans for up to five prioritized strategies. 

Once the framework has been published, AMBAG will continue to work with local jurisdictions, regional agencies, community-based organizations, and additional interested parties to put into action the implementation and funding plans included in the framework. 

Learn More 

To learn more about this project, please contact Amaury Berteaud at aberteaud@ambag.org. 

Get Involved 

Share Your Input and Feedback on Our Region’s EV Charging Network

Help shape the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging in the tri-county Monterey Bay Area! We invite you to explore this interactive Padlet map to share your experiences, input, and feedback on:

• Existing EV charging stations
• Planned EV charging station locations
• Suggestions for new EV charger locations

Your input and feedback will help improve EV charging access and regional strategies to create a robust and resilient regional EV charging network across San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties.

[ View Padlet Map to Provide Feedback by December 31, 2025 ]

Explore the Map

• View location and EV charger information by clicking on any map pin. Map pins are color coded as follows: 
  • Blue: Existing EV charging stations
  • Orange: Planned EV charging stations
  • Pink: Community-suggested charging sites
• To access language translation, click on the three dots on the right panel of the map. Select “Language,” choose your preferred language, and click “Save” to confirm your selection.

Share Your Input & Feedback

• Share your reaction: Click the like or dislike buttons in bottom left of the pop-up window for the EV charging location you select to share your overall experience, satisfaction, or level of support.
• Add a comment: Click the comment bubble icon (💬) in the bottom right of the pop-up window to open a full-screen comment box. Type your comment then click the “Comment” button to post your feedback. 
  • Blue (existing EV charging stations): Share comments on your overall experience, frequency of use, any barriers to access (e.g., cost, availability, maintenance issues, etc.), and any additional feedback on the location and EV chargers.
  • Orange (planned EV charging stations): Share comments to indicate your level of support for the planned location, whether you would use these EV chargers, and any additional feedback on the location.
  • Pink (community-suggested charging sites): Share comments to indicate your level of support for the suggested location, whether you would use these EV chargers, and any additional feedback on the location, the number and type of chargers you would suggest (DC Fast Chargers, Level 2, or Level 1), and more. 
• Suggest locations for new EV charging stations: Click the plus icon on the bottom right of the screen, then set the location marker by searching for an address or dragging and dropping a pin on the map. Include the following optional details before clicking the “Publish” button to add a new pin to the map.
  • Description: Why you’re suggesting this location, how often you would use it, expected demand, any known access considerations, and any other details you’d like to share.
  • EV Network: Specific EV charging networks you would suggest (Blink, CharePoint, Electrify America, EV Connect, EVCS, eVgo, EVRANGE, Tesla, or others).
  • Number of Chargers: How many chargers you would suggest installing and which type (DC Fast Chargers, Level 2, or Level 1).
  • Note that new posts will be automatically color coded as “white,” which will show on the map as a pink icon.

We thank you for taking the time to share your perspectives and invite you to share this opportunity with your family, friends, and neighbors to ensure their voice is also heard!

Previous Efforts 

In 2014 AMBAG prepared a suitability study that identified the best places for electric vehicle charging stations throughout the tri-county area based on level of activity. The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure for the Monterey Bay Area study, funded by a Monterey Bay Air Resources District AB 2766 grant, was incorporated into other EV plans being developed in the region and used to help site locations for new EV charging stations.

In 2023, In partnership with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), and San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) the Central Coast Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy was completed. The goal of the strategy was to identify electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure needs in the Central Coas and to identify charging infrastructure sitting and technology needs to accommodate future travel demand specifically for interregional motorists. A key emphasis was on addressing the region’s electromobility needs for accommodating intercity travel within the less developed unincorporated areas of the Central Coast and underserved populations such as disadvantaged communities and residents of multi-family dwelling units. The Strategy was funded through a Caltrans sustainable transportation planning grant.