Connect with us

Technology

EV Access Key to Meeting California’s Climate Goals and Can Help Lower Electric Prices

Published

on

PG&E Accelerating EV Adoption Among Customers With Limited Financial Resources 

OAKLAND, Calif., April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Electric Vehicles (EVs) are key to achieving California’s climate goals and can help lower electric rates for customers, but research shows that the cost of owning an EV can be a challenge for drivers in lower-income communities. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is taking action to make EV ownership more affordable for customers with limited financial resources.

PG&E has already helped make driving an EV a reality for more than 13,000 income-qualified customers through the Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program, and thousands more have benefited from incentives to lower the upfront costs for charging infrastructure at their homes.

Closing the equity gap to help get more drivers with limited resources into EVs is critical to accelerate EV adoption throughout PG&E’s service area and reach PG&E’s goal to serve 3 million EVs by 2030. EVs help improve air quality by decreasing carbon emissions from transportation. Additionally, PG&E estimates the next one million EVs connecting to the grid could lower residential electric rates by 2% to 3% by spreading fixed operations and maintenance costs across more customers.

“We have made great progress to improve access to EVs and charging infrastructure for all of our customers, including those who may have thought EV ownership was out of reach because of the costs. EVs are critical to California meeting its climate goals, and they also provide a road to lower electric prices,” said Lydia Krefta, Senior Director, Electrification and Decarbonization for PG&E.  

“Additionally, customers can manage their EV charging during times when energy demand and prices are lower, allowing them to charge for as low as the equivalent of $1.88 per gallon of gas for customers who receive income-qualified rate discounts, while reducing strain on the grid,” Krefta added.

Making EV Ownership More Affordable

There are over 700,000 EVs in PG&E’s service area, representing one in eight EVs in the country. According to recent data, California EV sales climbed for the fourth straight year in 2024, representing approximately 25% of all new vehicles sold in the state last year. However, a study from UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation finds that disadvantaged communities are not keeping pace in the EV transition because they often don’t have access to incentives and charging infrastructure.

PG&E offers a variety of resources—including rebates, incentives for income-qualified customers and EV-focused rate plans—that can help lower the total cost of EV ownership, including upfront, charging and charger installation costs.

The Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program provides up to $4,000 back when income-qualified customers buy or lease a used EV. Since launching in February 2023, the program has issued more than 13,000 rebate payments and provided over $29 million in benefits. An additional $50 million in funding is still available for PG&E customers who meet income qualifications.    

Powering the EV Transition

PG&E has programs that can reduce the cost of installing an at-home EV charger to help lower the overall cost of driving an EV.

PG&E’s Residential Charging Solutions pilot provides customers with a 50% post-purchase rebate on approved Level 2 residential charging equipment that can utilize existing 240-volt outlets and eliminate the need for costly electrical upgrades. Income-eligible customers can receive a rebate valued at 100% of the equipment’s purchase price. The pilot is funded by California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Program.       

EV Charge Manager can help customers save on their EV charging costs by scheduling charging when electric rates and grid demand are lower. The program— currently available to PG&E customers in Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Alameda counties who meet eligibility requirements—provides a personalized dashboard with insights into charging habits, costs, battery usage and battery efficiency. Participants will receive a $75 Tango gift card after being in the program for at least three months and staying connected to the platform at least 50% of the time.

In the year ahead, PG&E plans to announce two additional EV charging pilots that were authorized for funding through California’s LCFS Program.

The Affordable Public Charging pilot offers a charging credit, via a prepaid debit card, to help income-qualified customers cover some of the costs to charge their EVs at public charging stations.

The Panel and Flexible Electrification Support pilot offers incentives for electrical panel upgrades and other qualifying auxiliary equipment needed for low-income customers to install an EV charger at their home.

EV Rates and Additional Resources 

PG&E has three rate plans that may help EV drivers lower their electric costs. With these Time-of-Use rate plans, customers who charge their EVs during off-peak hours can reduce their overall energy costs.

On PG&E’s EV2-A rate, customers who qualify for the income-eligible California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance monthly discounts can charge their EVs for the equivalent of $1.88 per gallon at the pump when they charge between midnight and 3 pm. The EV Rate Comparison tool can help customers find the best rate plan that works for them.

“There are real savings opportunities that can help lower EV ownership costs for customers with limited resources. An income-qualified customer with access to home charging could save 57% with the CARE discount and off-peak EV charging rates, compared to the cost to fuel their vehicle with gasoline. A CARE customer who only uses public charging through the upcoming Affordable Public Charging program can save up to 100% for two years,” Krefta said.

Customers who want to explore EV ownership are encouraged to check out PG&E’s EV Savings Calculator to browse vehicles, discover incentives and locate charging stations.

About PG&E 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ev-access-key-to-meeting-californias-climate-goals-and-can-help-lower-electric-prices-302441761.html

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Laifen Expands U.S. Retail Footprint with Costco Launch of Best-Selling SE Hair Dryer

Published

on

By

Starting July 18, Costco Members Can Shop Laifen’s Award-Winning Hair Dryer in Select Warehouse Locations Across the U.S.

NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Laifen, ranked the world’s No.1 high-speed hair dryer brand, today announced the launch of its best-selling SE High-Speed Hair Dryer at select Costco warehouse locations, marking the brand’s largest U.S. retail expansion to date and bringing its award-winning haircare technology to Costco members across select U.S. markets.

The launch brings Laifen’s award-winning haircare technology to Costco, making it easier for consumers to experience the brand through one of the nation’s leading membership retailers. Laifen joins Costco’s growing portfolio of premium beauty and personal care brands. The initial rollout includes select Costco warehouse locations across the United States, with a strong presence across the Western U.S., including California, the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest.

Costco’s reputation for quality and its highly selective merchandising approach make this partnership especially meaningful. The Costco launch reflects Laifen’s continued expansion beyond direct-to-consumer channels as the brand accelerates its U.S. omnichannel retail strategy. “Costco represents an important milestone in our U.S. retail strategy,” said Romeo, General Manager of International Business of Laifen. “As more consumers seek salon-quality performance at an accessible price, we’re excited to make Laifen available through one of America’s most trusted retailers.”

Engineered to deliver professional-level performance in a sleek, lightweight design, the Laifen SE is powered by the brand’s proprietary high-speed brushless motor, delivering fast drying, reduced heat damage and smoother styling. An intelligent temperature control system continuously monitors airflow to help minimize frizz while protecting hair from excessive heat.

The Costco launch represents the next phase of Laifen’s U.S. retail expansion as the brand continues to grow beyond its direct-to-consumer and online channels. By expanding into one of the nation’s most trusted retailers, Laifen aims to broaden access to its category-disrupting haircare solutions while advancing its mission to bring more thoughtful design and everyday excellence into more homes.

The Laifen SE High-Speed Hair Dryer in White will be available at select Costco locations, while Costco.com shoppers will have access to additional color options including Purple and Pink, alongside the White model.

For more information on Laifen, please visit LaifenTech.com.

About Laifen: 

Founded in 2019, Laifen is a global personal care technology brand combining high-performance engineering with modern design across hair care, oral care, and grooming categories. Ranked the world’s No. 1 high-speed hair dryer brand by Euromonitor International, Laifen first gained recognition for its self-developed 110,000 RPM high-speed brushless motor, the proprietary technology behind its award-winning hair dryers.

Building on this innovation, Laifen has expanded its portfolio to include electric toothbrushes and shavers, delivering premium technology and elevated everyday experiences to consumers worldwide. Today, Laifen products and accessories are used by over 22 million households across more than 60 countries, supported by more than 600 patents and recognized with over 50 international design and innovation awards. Driven by continuous technological breakthroughs, Laifen is committed to making cutting-edge personal care technology more accessible to consumers around the world.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laifen-expands-us-retail-footprint-with-costco-launch-of-best-selling-se-hair-dryer-302828573.html

SOURCE Laifen

Continue Reading

Technology

Pillsbury Notice of Data Breach

Published

on

By

NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (“Pillsbury”) was among many law firms targeted by sophisticated social engineering attempts in an incident last year. While the firm quickly detected and blocked the activity, an unauthorized actor was able to access some of the firm’s documents during a short window of time. Pillsbury notified any impacted clients last year and undertook a detailed process to review the accessed documents for personal information. Pillsbury then began notifying individuals whose personal information was affected. That process is now complete, and today, Pillsbury is publishing substitute notice as a final step.

For more information, please visit the substitute notice on our website at https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/breach-notice.html

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pillsbury-notice-of-data-breach-302828892.html

SOURCE Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Continue Reading

Technology

From Remote Racing to Embodied AI: Fibocom and Intedigo Bring 5G Bidirectional Data Transmission into Real-World Applications

Published

on

By

SHANGHAI, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From July 17 to 20, Fibocom and Intedigo will jointly present a cross-regional, beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) teleoperation demonstration at Booth H3-C408 during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026. Visitors will be able to enter a remote driving cockpit and control a real race car located at HURA PARK in Jiading, Shanghai, steering, accelerating, and braking in real time while experiencing how 5G connectivity enables remote operation.

More than an immersive driving experience, the demonstration provides a live validation of 5G bidirectional data transmission for embodied AI teleoperation. The vehicle continuously sends live track video, vehicle status, and operating data to the remote cockpit, while control commands are transmitted back to the vehicle, creating a closed-loop teleoperation system. Stable, low-latency, and highly reliable connectivity is essential for high-dynamic maneuvers such as high-speed cornering, precision braking, and continuous lane changes.

Developed by Intedigo, the remote driving system connects a real race car with an immersive remote driving cockpit. It supports 1080p@60Hz video transmission, glass-to-glass (G2G) video latency of less than 80 ms, and control latency of less than 10 ms. The demanding racing environment magnifies differences in video continuity and control responsiveness, making communications performance directly perceptible, measurable, and verifiable.

At the joint demonstration, Fibocom’s FM160 5G module provides cellular connectivity for the system. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon™ X62 5G Modem-RF System, the FM160 supports SA and NSA network architectures as well as 3GPP Release 16. On the downlink, it supports NR Carrier Aggregation (NR CA) with bandwidth of up to 120 MHz, delivering peak speeds of up to 3.5 Gbps in NSA mode and 2.5 Gbps in SA mode. On the uplink, it supports UL MIMO and delivers peak speeds of up to 900 Mbps in SA mode. These capabilities support the continuous transmission of HD video and vehicle status data, along with reliable delivery of control commands.

As embodied AI moves into factories, data centers, logistics operations, and industrial parks, robots are becoming increasingly capable of performing tasks autonomously. Yet complex environments, unexpected events, and edge cases still require Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) remote intervention to help ensure safe and reliable operation.

Daniel Liu, CEO of Intedigo, said:

“5G represents the pinnacle of human communications and the starting point of machine communications. In the past, communications connected people to people; in the future, they will connect people to robots and robots to robots. Remote racing is simply the easiest entry point for people to understand this concept. What we are truly validating is a communications system capable of supporting remote collaboration for embodied AI. HURA makes low-latency remote driving a tangible experience, while RoBOX extends this capability to robots and a broader range of intelligent terminals. Together with Fibocom, we hope to enable more machines to receive remote assistance whenever needed while remaining continuously connected and operating reliably.”

Simon Tao, VP of Wireless Solutions Business Group and General Manager of MBB BU at Fibocom, said:

“As embodied AI enters real-world industrial environments, reliable connectivity will become the foundation for telemetry feedback, remote control and operational management. Fibocom’s 5G solutions, represented by FM160, provide the cellular connectivity required for continuous on-site data transmission and reliable control command delivery. Fibocom will continue collaborating with ecosystem partners such as Intedigo to bring cellular connectivity to more robots, autonomous machines and mobile intelligent terminals, enabling embodied AI systems to stay continuously connected and respond reliably in real-world applications.”

From remote race cars to robots, unmanned equipment, and mobile intelligent terminals, 5G is evolving from connecting people to connecting machines. This joint demonstration makes the capabilities of 5G bidirectional data transmission directly perceptible, experiential, and verifiable, helping pave the way for embodied AI to scale across real-world applications.
 

About Fibocom

Fibocom, founded in 1999, is China’s first wireless communication module company listed on both the A-share and H-share markets (300638.SZ, 0638.HK). As a global leading provider of wireless communication modules and AI solutions, Fibocom leverages wireless communication and artificial intelligence as its core technologies to provide integrated hardware and software solutions that empower industry applications. These solutions accelerate the transformation from “Connect Everything” to “Intelligent Connectivity” across diverse industries.

Fibocom’s one-stop solutions encompass cellular communication, AI, automotive, and GNSS modules, as well as AI toolchains, supporting industry-side and mainstream large model integration, and providing AI Agent, global connectivity, and cloud services, driving the digital intelligence upgrades in industries such as robotics, consumer electronics, low-altitude economy, intelligent transportation, smart retail, and smart energy.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-remote-racing-to-embodied-ai-fibocom-and-intedigo-bring-5g-bidirectional-data-transmission-into-real-world-applications-302828996.html

SOURCE Fibocom Wireless Inc.

Continue Reading

Trending