Plugging the Gaps: Why LA Must Mandate EV Charging for Existing Commercial Properties—Now

A Proposal to Mandate Charging Infrastructure in Existing Commercial Spaces Before 2028 Mandating EV Charging Where Angelenos Already Go

The City of Los Angeles recently made headlines by requiring EV charging infrastructure in new commercial construction projects. It was a win for clean transportation and a hopeful sign that our city is leaning into its role as a climate leader. But for the millions of Angelenos navigating daily life in shopping centers, office parks, and mixed-use campuses already built decades ago, this mandate means… nothing.

And that’s a problem, one that threatens to deepen climate injustice and undermine the city’s commitment to hosting a net-zero Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.

This is a call for Los Angeles to finish what it started: to enact a citywide ordinance requiring large existing commercial properties to install public EV charging stations by the end of 2028. It’s not just the right move—it’s the logical next step. And it’s more achievable than skeptics might think.

LA’s Congestion Problem Is a Climate Crisis

Anyone who lives here knows that traffic in Los Angeles isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a defining feature of urban life. But beneath the frustration of bumper-to-bumper commutes lies something far more dangerous: transportation-related emissions that are eroding public health and accelerating climate change.

Studies have shown that nearly 40% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. In LA, that number is even higher, especially in areas with heavy car dependence and limited access to clean transit options.

We can’t fix traffic overnight. But we can shift the equation by making EVs more viable for all Angelenos. The only way to do that is by dramatically expanding access to convenient, affordable charging, where people already live, work, and shop.

Who Gets a Charger, and Who Doesn’t

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: public EV infrastructure in LA is concentrated in wealthier neighborhoods. Think Brentwood, Century City, Santa Monica, parts of Westwood. Now contrast that with South LA, East LA, Watts, Pacoima—communities where large commercial properties exist but chargers remain rare or entirely absent.

This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about equity. If we allow EV adoption to remain tethered to zip code privilege, then we’ve failed to build a just climate transition. We must ensure that underserved communities aren’t left behind.

Mandating EV charging at existing large commercial properties, especially those with high public foot traffic, is a direct way to begin balancing the scales.

Businesses Don’t Need to Shoulder the Costs Alone

Some property owners will argue that installing EV chargers is too expensive, too disruptive, or too risky. That’s fair, until you understand the landscape of incentives and partnerships waiting to make it possible.

Here’s what’s on the table:

• Rebates through LADWP’s Charge Up LA! Program – up to $1,500 per charger, plus $250 per dedicated meter.

• Federal and State Tax Incentives – from property tax abatements to installation credits that reduce upfront investment.

• Permit Streamlining via AB 1236 and AB 970 – making installation easier and faster across LA County.

• Public-Private Partnerships – Companies like Blink Charging, ChargePoint, and EVgo offer turnkey installation, flexible financing, and revenue-sharing models that turn parking lots into clean mobility hubs.

Translation? This doesn’t have to cost property owners a dime. In fact, it can generate revenue. Chargers attract eco-conscious tenants, boost property value, and position sites as forward-thinking destinations. It’s not a burden—it’s a business opportunity.

Los Angeles Has a Promise to Keep

When LA won the bid to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it made a bold promise: the first-ever net-zero emissions Olympic Games in history. That means renewable energy, clean transportation, and sustainable infrastructure at scale.

But here’s the catch: if we wait until 2027 to install thousands of chargers, it’ll be too late. The city needs to act now to build the network that athletes, visitors, and residents will depend on. A mandate for existing commercial properties isn’t just about today’s commuters—it’s about tomorrow’s legacy.

Let’s make sure the clean transportation story of LA 2028 doesn’t end at a handful of luxury EV stations clustered in wealthy areas. Let it be a citywide transformation—accessible, equitable, and enduring.

What This Proposal Calls For

Let’s be clear about the vision:

Target Properties:

• Commercial buildings with 50+ parking spaces

• Retail centers over 25,000 sq ft

• Office buildings over 50,000 sq ft

• Mixed-use developments with high public access

Minimum Installation Requirements:

• 10% of total parking spaces equipped with EV chargers

• 70% Level 2 chargers for regular daily use

• 30% DC Fast chargers for high turnover zones

Optional Incentives for Going Beyond:

• Solar-powered or bidirectional chargers that support grid resilience

• Open-access charging networks to prevent proprietary lock-in

• Bonus rebates and tax incentives for early adopters and high-density installations

Building on Existing Policy—Not Reinventing the Wheel

This isn’t a moonshot. It’s a natural extension of current legislation:

• Ordinance No. 186485 requires chargers in new buildings.

• CALGreen Code sets EV readiness standards statewide.

• AB 1236 & AB 970 mandate streamlined permitting.

The infrastructure for policy already exists. The political will needs to catch up.

Time to Lead, Not Lag

This proposal puts Los Angeles ahead of the curve. Other cities, from Seattle to New York, are also exploring mandates for charging infrastructure. But LA has a unique moment right now: a massive global event on the horizon, sky-high EV adoption rates, and neighborhoods asking to be part of the green revolution.

Let’s not miss our chance. Let’s write a new policy that doesn’t just prepare us for the future, but makes sure everyone in LA gets to live in it.

Call to Action

Los Angeles cannot afford to idle on climate justice. It's time to turn policy into progress.

I have written to Mayor Bass and the Los Angeles City Council, and so should you.

• City leaders: extend the mandate to existing commercial properties.

• Property owners: explore the partnerships and incentives available to you.

• Residents: raise your voice to demand cleaner air and equal access.

Let’s plug the gaps and turn our parking lots into clean mobility hubs.