The City of Carson presented a new Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Wallet Pilot Program at a city council meeting, announcing roughly $86,000 in Clean Power Alliance funding to support about 320 Carson households with reimbursements for using city-approved public chargers.

The pilot, described by Rita, a city staff member, aims to ease a key barrier to EV adoption — the inability of some residents to charge at home — by reimbursing approved users $50 or more, up to $250 per household, for charging at designated Carson ChargePoint stations within 12 months of approval. "The way that the program was written, they have to own the vehicle," Rita said when asked whether prospective buyers could apply.

Council context and purpose: The program is funded by a Clean Power Alliance award of "about $86,000," according to the presentation, and is intended to promote equitable access to EV charging, increase use of the city's charging network, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support local sustainability goals. The pilot is limited to Carson residents who are customers of the Clean Power Alliance and who own or lease a 100% battery-electric vehicle; only one incentive is available per household regardless of the number of EVs at that address.

How to apply and eligibility: Prospective participants must apply online (a QR code and link were shown in the presentation). Applicants must provide a copy of their DMV registration showing the vehicle is registered within the City of Carson and a utility bill confirming residency. After approval, applicants receive instructions to set up a ChargePoint account and a unique driver connection code; charging usage at approved stations is then tracked and reimbursements issued by mailed check during the first week of the month. Funding is limited and awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; the city recommends approved participants begin using chargers immediately because reimbursements are only available for usage within the first 12 months following approval.

Approved charging locations and outreach: The presentation identified the approved ChargePoint locations and displayed a map on the city website. Sites listed include Anderson Park, Carriage Crest Park (once construction is completed), Carson Park, the Community Center West Side ChargePoint chargers, Dolphin Park, Dominguez Park, Hemingway Aquatic Center, Hemingway Park, Stevenson Park, and Veterans Park. The city plans outreach via its website, social media, a press release, email networks (Constant Contact and ActiveNet), partner organizations, printed flyers at city facilities, Carson Magazine, and council town halls.

Data and next steps: The city provided an estimate of EV adoption in local ZIP codes (90745, 90746, 90747 and 90810), reporting "just over 2,500" battery-electric vehicles registered across those ZIP codes through 2024; 2025 data were not yet complete. The application window opens tomorrow, with an estimated application review time of two to three weeks. The program is explicitly limited to current owners or lessees of qualifying EVs; staff said applicants who plan to purchase a vehicle must already have it registered to be eligible, and availability will depend on how quickly funds are exhausted.

No formal council vote was recorded during the presentation; the item was delivered as a staff briefing with time for one clarification question from the mayor.