ET25SWE0055 - Developing a 120V Induction Range Without Battery for California Markets

Project Overview

To meet California’s emissions reduction goals under Assembly Bill 1279, which mandates reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 85% below 1990 levels by 2045, widespread electrification of residential cooking is critical. Gas stoves are a major source of indoor combustion gases, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to poor indoor air quality and are linked to chronic lung disease (Lewis, 2023) and childhood asthma (Quinn, 2023). Despite these risks, approximately 70% of California homes still use gas stoves (EIA, 2023). 

Electrifying cooking appliances, however, poses challenges. The most common electric and induction cooking ranges available in California require a 240V/40A circuit (9.6 kW). Many existing homes—especially older residences, and multifamily units—lack the panel capacity to support such appliances without costly upgrades. In addition, the current battery-supported 120V induction ranges are estimated to cost upwards of $6,000 and will no longer receive a federal tax credit for their battery, which makes them financially inaccessible for many markets, especially low- and moderate-income housing.

This project proposes to explore a more affordable alternative: a 120V induction range without a battery that can operate on a standard 120V/20A outlet. The concept is designed to minimize installation costs and power requirements, making it particularly well-suited for small or electrically constrained housing. 

Why This Project is Needed Now

While CalMTA’s Induction Cooking Market Transformation Initiative (MTI) recognizes the importance of induction technology, it does not consider or evaluate the viability of a no-battery 120V option. This is a critical gap, as this product type could unlock significant new market segments in California without requiring costly electrical upgrades. 

The difference between battery-supported and non-battery 120V induction ranges is significant: current battery models cost upwards of $6,000, unaffordable for many low- and moderate-income households, property owners and developers. A non-battery design greatly lowers the cost barrier, opening up market access to more customers and enabling electrification without panel upgrades.

However, the 120V non-battery option might involve performance tradeoffs tailored to typical daily use compared to traditional 240V or battery-supported models - such as tradeoffs in the number of burners, and using all burners while preheating the oven.. These limitations highlight the importance of this research to determine the level of functionality constituting a minimum viable product for target users, owners, and developers, particularly in constrained environments like ADUs and multifamily units. 

The Induction Cooktops and Ranges Market Transformation Advancement Plan (CalMTA, Feb 2024) and the Induction Cooking Market Transformation Initiative Plan (CalMTA, December 2024) both identify CalNEXT as the vehicle for applied research to fill knowledge gaps prior to market transformation efforts. This project directly responds to that call for further work. In addition, compared to the battery-supported 120V induction ranges over $6,000, this low-power solution could provide a cost-effective electrification pathway for residents in older homes and multifamily buildings, many of whom are in disadvantaged or hard-to-reach communities.  It could also be a cost-effective option for new construction of ADUs, affordable/senior housing, and extended-stay hotels.

TRC has discussed this project with CalMTA leadership, and they are supportive of exploring this configuration. CalMTA has not assessed where a 120V non-battery solution would meet California’s unique building, electrical, and regulatory constraints, nor have they evaluated user needs in this context. This project fills that gap.

In response to NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) needs, Summit Appliances is developing a prototype 24-inch 120v non-battery induction range, tailored to the New York City market.   No such 120V non-battery product currently exists in the California market. California homes have different kitchen configurations, building codes, and user expectations than New York. Without this project, a California-focused product may not be developed. Importantly, this project is not intended to support the commercialization of a single manufacturer’s product. While Summit Appliances brings useful prototype experience in New York, this project will actively engage multiple kitchen supply distributors, builders and end users in California to ensure findings are generalizable and not biased towards a single manufacturers’ solution. 

This project will investigate the California market segments where a product of this type may be suitable, the market size, market characteristics, conditions where this product can be deployed, operational features or operational limitations driving consumer acceptance, and positioning an eventual product for effective deployment. In addition, this project will lay the groundwork for a Phase 2 field demonstration (as requested by stakeholders, including SCE), to validate product viability and user satisfaction under real-world conditions.

This study assessed the market potential of a 120V induction range that plugs into a standard household outlet and does not require a battery. The product is intended to provide a practical electrification option for households where installing a 240V range or battery-supported alternative is too costly. Research included interviews, consumer surveys, secondary research, and conjoint analysis to understand customer preferences, concerns, and market opportunities in California. 

Results indicate a promising market, particularly in retrofit situations, older multifamily buildings, rental units, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and smaller households. Consumers cited simple installation, avoidance of electrical panel upgrades, safety, and convenience as the primary benefits. These advantages were especially important for lower- and middle-income households seeking to reduce upfront costs. 

Price was the most important factor influencing purchase interest. Consumer preference declined notably above approximately $1,500, suggesting that affordability, incentives, and rebates will be important to broader adoption. The preferred product configuration was a four-burner range priced below $1,500, capable of boiling two quarts of water in less than seven minutes, and bundled with a basic cookware starter set. 

The study also identified several adoption challenges, including limited familiarity with induction cooking, concerns about cookware compatibility, cooking performance, and power-sharing functionality. However, these concerns appeared to be driven more by lack of experience than by outright resistance to the technology. 

Overall, the findings suggest that the product could fill an important market gap. Early pilot projects, consumer education, demonstrations, and stakeholder collaboration will be critical for building awareness, validating performance, and supporting successful commercialization. Price was the strongest driver of purchase preference, with interest declining significantly above the $1,500 threshold. 

Key adoption barriers include limited familiarity with induction cooking, concerns about cookware compatibility, power-sharing functionality, cooking performance, and suitability for larger cooking occasions. However, these concerns appear largely driven by lack of experience rather than fundamental opposition to the technology. 

The study concludes that successful market adoption will require coordinated efforts among manufacturers, program administrators, contractors, retailers, and property owners. Early pilot deployments, consumer education, incentives, demonstrations, and contractor training will be critical to increasing awareness, validating product performance, and accelerating market adoption.