US-based Southern California Edison (SCE) has unveiled its $760m investment plan to set up more passenger electric vehicle (EV) charging ports.

SCE will install approximately 48,000 more charging ports over the next four years as part of the programme.

The latest plan also supports SCE’s clean energy vision of having seven million electric cars on California’s highways by 2030. The company has filed its plan with the California Public Utilities Commission.

The latest development follows successful completion of the ‘Charge Ready’ pilot programme, which was rolled out two years ago. SCE installed its 1,000th EV charging station under the programme.

“Charge Ready will increase the availability of EV charging ports at workplaces, campuses, recreational areas and apartment buildings.”

SCE Regulatory Affairs senior vice-president Caroline Choi said: “Achieving California’s ambitious goals for reducing air pollution and harmful greenhouse gas emissions will require seven million electric cars on California highways by 2030.

“Taking Charge Ready to the next level will allow SCE to develop charging infrastructure needed to support a big portion of those cars.”

Charge Ready will increase the availability of EV charging ports at workplaces, campuses, recreational areas and apartment buildings.

SCE installed most of the charging stations under Charge Ready’s pilot phase in workplaces, schools and universities, destination centres, hospitals, and fleet yards.

Once SCE secures approval for the second phase of Charge Ready programme, it aims to roll out a marketing and customer education campaign to increase EV awareness.

EV charging ports will be installed and maintained by SCE while participants will be allowed to own, operate and maintain qualified charging stations.