San Francisco unveils electric‑vehicle roadmap with interim sale targets and 2040 emissions‑free vision

San Francisco staff on Nov. 25 presented a citywide electric‑vehicle roadmap that sets interim adoption targets and a long‑range vision for emissions‑free transportation.

Lowell Chu, interim energy program manager, described the roadmap’s interim goals — a 2025 target that 50% of new vehicles sold in San Francisco be electric and a 2030 target that all new vehicles sold be electric — and a 2040 vision for emissions‑free transportation originating, passing through or ending in the city. He described six strategies to reach those goals: increase public awareness, provide incentives, expand charging infrastructure with a DC fast‑charger master plan, integrate charging with the electric grid (including charging rate‑schedules and battery storage incentives), accelerate medium and heavy‑duty electrification through lighthouse projects and pilots, and require that emerging mobility services be electric.

"Our vision is to have a comprehensive, holistic, clean transportation program for the entire city," Lowell said, framing the roadmap as a North Star for cross‑agency work. Director Rafael urged a collaborative approach with the mayor’s office, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to secure funding and overcome rules and procurement barriers.

Commissioners focused on accountability and implementation. Commissioner Stevenson asked who would hold tactical responsibility for the roadmap; Lowell and Director Rafael recommended forming an EV task force and suggested joint commission oversight as a mechanism to track progress. Director Rafael said staff expect to present a budget proposal to the mayor’s office and budget office to fund initial implementation steps.

Zach Thompson, who helped lead the education program, said metropolitan data showed about 15% of new car sales were electric (the presenter noted San Francisco‑specific new‑car percentages were not specified in the transcript). Staff also described outreach successes — EV education workshops delivered in libraries and pilot replications in other Bay Area cities — and said public test‑drive and help‑desk options are under consideration.

Next steps staff listed include finishing the DC fast‑charger master plan, prioritizing multifamily charging access, opening municipal parking garages to providers, launching lighthouse projects for medium/heavy‑duty fleets, forming the EV task force to steward implementation and proposing funding to the mayor’s office.

Commissioners asked staff to return with metrics and periodic check‑ins to monitor progress.