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The Secretariat of Economy and Innovation (SEI) of Baja California, in collaboration with the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), hosted the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning Forum at Xochicalco University, Tijuana campus. The event aimed to develop a zero-emissions mobility strategy for California, Baja California, and Baja California Sur, with a focus on fostering the transition to electric mobility in the region.
During the opening ceremony, Kurt Honold Morales, SEI’s Secretary, emphasized that electric mobility is already a reality for Baja California. “We are committed to sustainable development goals, and electromobility plays a key role, both from an environmental standpoint and in boosting the competitiveness of our productive sectors,” said Honold. He explained that this initiative was born out of the US-Mexico Joint Working Committee 2023 held in Mexico City and aims to create a cooperative framework for transitioning to zero-emissions mobility. The strategy will facilitate the shift to electric freight trucks, aligning with the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) 2035 deadlines.
The U.S. Consul General in Tijuana, Christopher Teal, also addressed the forum, calling the CaliBaja region the most dynamic area along the U.S.-Mexico border. He stressed the importance of mobility for the region’s success, noting that improving electric mobility is vital for achieving clean energy and climate transition goals. “The decisions made by states and cities to create favorable environments for fleet operators and individual users directly impact business and consumer decisions. Dialogues like today’s are crucial for developing plans for operational standards and the installation of electric vehicle charging stations,” Teal stated.
Dr. Miguel Isaías Salgado Cota, Director of Graduate Studies at Xochicalco University, remarked that forums like these provide valuable opportunities for collaboration between government, business, and education sectors. “They help strengthen what we propose for our students and foster competition that will benefit society as a whole,” Salgado Cota said.
The forum featured several panels and discussions on electric vehicle infrastructure and opportunities in the region. One panel, led by Brennan Borlaug from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), explored the development of EV charging infrastructure in the U.S. and its implications for the CaliBaja region. A second panel, led by Michael Green of U.S. DOT, Maria de los Ángeles Lozano Montañez from the Baja California Energy Commission (CEE), and Dinora González from the Baja California Institute for Sustainable Mobility, focused on Baja California’s leadership in EV charging networks and investment opportunities for creating statewide EV charging plans.
In addition to these discussions, several workshops were held, including topics on intergovernmental coordination for EV planning, aligning EV charging networks with power sources, and regulations governing electric vehicles in California. The day also featured a case study on the practical implementation of state agencies in EV planning.
The event brought together key participants from various sectors, including Saúl De los Santos, Undersecretary of Economic Planning at SEI, Guadalupe Contreras, U.S. DOT Program Manager for Mexico, and representatives from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), the Baja California Mobility Institute (IMOS), the Mexican National Chamber of Freight Transport (CANACAR), and the Baja California Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (SMADS), among others.
Educational institutions like the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), Xochicalco University, University of California Riverside (UC Riverside), and CETIS 140 were also represented, demonstrating the collaborative nature of the initiative. The event underscored the importance of coordination between government, business, and educational institutions to achieve a sustainable and efficient zero-emissions mobility future for the region.
