A network of kerbside charging points in cities and 'filling' stations will have a major impact in reducing emissions
California's 36 million people have 5m cars between them, accounting for 40% of the state's greenhouse gas emissions. So replacing 1m of those petrol cars with electric cars will make a big difference.
Under joint plans published overnight by the state government, local transport and energy companies these electric cars will hit the streets of California's major cities within the next decade.
Yesterday, the mayors of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose announced investment of around $1bn to make electric cars a commercial reality in the Bay Area by 2012.
"The bay area mayors are looking to become the electric vehicle capital of America," said Jason Wolf, California business development manager for Better Place, the electric transportation company that will build the infrastructure in the state.