Since 2015, California has focused on increasing electric vehicle (EV) deployment to combat greenhouse gas emissions. As of March 2025, the number of EV charging stations in the state has more than doubled since 2022, with approximately 178,000 charging ports now available—about 48% more than gasoline nozzles, which number around 120,000. However, rural areas like Plumas County are experiencing slower progress in this transition.
The Plumas County Transportation Commission is currently developing an EV master plan, expected to finalize in June 2027. This plan, created by Kittelson & Associates with grant funding, will assess existing charging locations and identify future needs.
Recognizing the necessity for more EV infrastructure in rural regions, the U.S. Department of Transportation emphasizes that these areas house 20% of the population and account for 70% of the nation’s roads. Rural residents typically drive more and spend more on fuel and maintenance, making EVs an appealing option. The Western Governors’ Association’s Electric Vehicles Roadmap Initiative aims to improve rural access to EV charging.
To facilitate the establishment of charging stations, California laws AB 1236 and AB 970 mandate that local governments streamline the approval process for new constructions. These laws restrict review processes to health and safety concerns and set specific timelines for application reviews and approvals.
The state’s scorecard and map indicate that while most areas are compliant with these new regulations, Plumas County is shown in yellow, signifying that its permit streamlining is still in progress.
Currently, Plumas County has limited charging options. The EV Range Charging Station in Portola offers eight Level 2 ports and operates 24/7. Dame Shirley Plaza in Quincy is set to connect four additional ports to power by May, while the Antlers Inn in Chester features four charging stations, which are already experiencing demand.
EVmatch, an app facilitating home charger sharing, lists one location in Quincy, along with at least two Tesla Destination Chargers operated by residents. More locations can be found on chargehub.com.
In addition to private EV charging, the Plumas County Transportation Commission has approved a long-term plan to transition its transit fleet to electric buses by 2040. However, challenges remain, particularly concerning the availability of electric buses equipped with snow chains, crucial for the county’s winter conditions.
