Senate Committee Approves Energy Affordability and Reliability Bill

Becker’s legislation will save consumers $10 billion on energy bills while strengthening California’s grid. 

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications overwhelmingly approved SB 1282, the Battery Integration and Grid Reliability Act, authored by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park). This bill lowers electricity costs for Californians, strengthens grid reliability, and keeps the lights on during power outages by unlocking the full potential of electric vehicles and other large vehicle batteries as energy resources.

Specifically, SB 1282 enables vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home technologies, allowing electric vehicles (EVs) to power homes during outages and support the electric grid during periods of high demand. By harnessing batteries that consumers already own, grid-integrated vehicles can deliver energy security, affordability, and resilience whether a household owns an EV or not.

“Californians are paying too much for electricity, and too often we’re not getting the reliability we deserve,” said Becker. “We need a grid that is smarter, more flexible, and more affordable. That starts with making better use of the resources we already have. Technologies like vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home are the next step. Turning electric vehicles into assets can lower costs, strengthen the grid, and keep the lights on when it matters most.”

California faces growing electricity demand and rising utility bills, driven by wildfire mitigation, extreme weather, and the clean energy transition. EV charging, however, is flexible and manageable. When paired with smart charging and bidirectional power, EVs can reduce peak demand, avoid costly grid upgrades, and help integrate low-cost renewable energy — putting downward pressure on rates over time.

“Electric vehicles are crucial to building a more affordable and reliable clean energy grid,” said Dave Reichmuth, research director in the clean transportation program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Our research shows that widespread managed charging and vehicle-to-grid participation could save California more than $10 billion annually in electricity system costs by 2045. Policies like this enable those savings that can benefit families across the state.”

Beyond cost savings, the legislation focuses on resilience. While a typical home battery stores about 13.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity, many EVs store 40 to more than 100 kilowatt-hours, which is enough to power essential household needs for days during public safety power shutoffs or other emergencies. Using EVs as quiet, zero-emission backup power also reduces reliance on gas generators, improving air quality during wildfires.

“This is a smart, people-centered approach to grid planning,” said Ellie Cohen, CEO of the Climate Center. “By planning now for grid-integrated electric vehicles and their batteries, California can meet growing electricity demand in a way that improves reliability, accelerates the transition to clean energy and lowers electricity cost for all ratepayers by reducing the need for unnecessary utility investments in infrastructure.”

The Public Advocates Office’s Distribution Grid Electrification Model 2025 finds that shifting EV charging to reduce stress on local distribution circuits can provide between $5 billion and $18 billion dollars in grid‑cost savings by 2040 across California’s investor‑owned utility territories. Also, a recent CEC VGI report indicated that California’s EVs were an 18.5 GW flexible asset.

The bill also directs the California Energy Commission to set standards and strategies to ensure the state has sufficient grid-integrated vehicle and battery capacity by 2045. Eligible technologies could include electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, electric buses, and other vehicles with batteries capable of supporting grid needs, while preserving market-based flexibility and affordability.