Under California's landmark electric car mandate, 68% of all new 2030 models sold in the state must be zero emissions, increasing to 100% for 2035.

To meet that target, 129,000 new chargers must be built every year for the next seven years.

Then the pace would have to further accelerate to reach a target of 2.1 million chargers in 2035.

Patty Monahan, who's on the Energy Commission, the state agency responsible for funding and guiding the ramp-up, told CalMatters that she is confident that California can build the chargers its residents need in time.

Fast-charging stations could play a bigger role than initially projected, meaning hundreds of thousands of fewer chargers might be needed.

They can power a car to 80% in 20 minutes to an hour, while the typical charger in use today takes from 4 to 10 hours.

Installing and operating fast chargers is expensive.

Congress and the Biden administration have set aside $5 billion for a national network of fast chargers.

California's share of the federal money totals $384 million.

Newsom has committed to spending $1 billion through 2028 on chargers with his California climate commitment.

This year Newsom and the legislature trimmed $167 million from the charger budget as the state faces a record deficit.

One of the biggest barriers to more chargers isn't money.

It's that cities and counties are slow to approve plans for the vast number of stations needed.

California relies on grants and persuasion to accomplish its goals, and the slow build-out of chargers shows how these strategies can fall short.

However, California has passed laws requiring local jurisdictions to streamline permits for chargers.

The infrastructure is continuing to be rolled out at a rapid pace.

California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph said, "It doesn't all have to be perfect instantly.

It's a process, and it's a process that continues to move."

For CalMatters, I'm Alejandro Lazo.