California Sends Bill to Governor Creating EV Economic Opportunity Zone in Riverside County
The California Legislature sent to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk a bill - Assembly Bill (AB) 2448 - that would create an "Electric Vehicle Economic Opportunity Zone" in Riverside County. It would create "programs to make electric vehicle manufacturing jobs and education more accessible to lower income communities." It would also "authorize the agency to partner with educational institutions, electric vehicle manufacturing businesses, and local and national financial intuitions to develop EVEOZ education, training, and investment programs."
Of particular relevance to the automotive repair community, section 1(c)(4) specifies that the California Labor and Workforce Development Authority would receive a mandate to partner with educational institutions to produce EV "career pathway, education, training, and support programs for electric vehicle service technician development." However, the bill does not provide an funding to support such programs.
The California Assembly passed AB 2448 on a 71-0 vote and the California Senate passed the bill on a 32-4 vote. It is unclear if Governor Newsom plans to sign or veto it.