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Charging toward a cleaner Central Coast this National Drive Electric Month!
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Meet CEC at an upcoming EV event and explore rebates and incentives that could put thousands back in your pocket.
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If you’ve been thinking of finally retiring your old car, now is the perfect time to switch to an electric vehicle (EV). National Drive Electric Month brings EVs and EV resources to your community, so you can make the smartest decision for your wallet and the planet.
From lower fuel and maintenance costs to newly available rebates and incentives, going electric can help you get more value from your next vehicle. Events will take place throughout September and October where you can see EVs up close, meet local drivers, take a test drive, and get answers to your questions about charging, ownership, and affordability.
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CEC is hitting the road for National Drive Electric Month!
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Find our team at an EV event near you. We’ll answer your questions about EVs and help you figure out how to stack incentives for maximum savings.
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Santa Maria Downtown Friday EV Showcase
See a variety of EVs up close, meet local EV drivers, and get a firsthand look at cleaner transportation options. Learn more.
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Sept. 18 | 5:30–8:30 p.m.
451 S. McClelland St.,
Santa Maria, CA 93454
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EV Showcase at the Port of Hueneme Banana Festival
Explore EVs and get practical guidance on ownership, including how to charge your vehicle at home. Learn more.
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Sept. 26 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
105 East Port Hueneme Rd.,
Port Hueneme, CA 93041
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Ventura County EV Showcase
Check out dozens of electric vehicles — from bikes to cars and even converted classics. Learn more.
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Oct. 4 | 12–4:30 p.m.
Main Lawn, Ventura Harbor Village
1591 Spinnaker Drive,
Ventura, CA 93001
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Drive Electric Ventura’s Ventura City Ride & Drive
Get behind the wheel, take an EV for a spin, and hear directly from local drivers about their experience going electric. Learn more.
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Oct. 17 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
255 W. Stanley Ave., Suite #100, Ventura, CA 93001
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Join CEC’s All About Electric Vehicles webinars for a quick, practical introduction to EV ownership, charging, and ways to get money back when you make the switch.
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September 23:
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12–12:45 p.m. — English
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6–6:45 p.m. — Spanish
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October 23:
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12–12:45 p.m. — English
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6–6:45 p.m. — Spanish
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Connect with CEC for one-on-one support
Whether you’re ready to buy, just starting to research, or simply want to see what’s out there, we’re here to help you find the right fit and move forward with confidence. For personalized help finding EV rebates and incentives you may qualify for, there are a few ways to connect with CEC:
- Meet us at an upcoming EV event this month and talk with our team in person.
- Visit cec.pub/electrify-yourlife and fill out the EV Assistance sign-up form.
- Contact CEC Climate Projects Associate Sachi Shiroma at sshiroma@cecmail.org or (805) 730-0203.
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Climate Fridays Santa Barbara: National Drive Electric Month
Friday, September 4
4–5:30 p.m.
CEC’s Environmental Hub
1219 State St., Santa Barbara
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Join us for September’s Climate Fridays Santa Barbara as we celebrate National Drive Electric Month and explore ways our community can take action for a cleaner, more sustainable future. CEC Climate Mitigation Program Manager Sean McArthur will share the latest on EV incentives and rebates that make driving electric more affordable. We’ll also hear from a representative of Third Act about the upcoming Hands Across the Sand event and other opportunities to get involved in local climate activism and advocacy. We’ll also hear from Maureen Ellenberger of the Santa Barbara Sierra Club and Phil Glosserman, co-chair of the Third Act SoCal Working Group, about opportunities to get involved in local climate action. Learn more and register.
The Carbon Wave: Author Talk with Dr. Leah Stokes
Thursday, September 10
6:30–8 p.m.
CEC’s Environmental Hub
1219 State St., Santa Barbara
Join CEC for an evening with Dr. Leah Stokes, associate professor at UC Santa Barbara, policy director of The 2035 Initiative, and author of The Carbon Wave: A Story of Democracy, Parenthood, and the Race to Protect Our Planet. In conversation with Santa Barbara Independent Editor-In-Chief Marianne Partridge, Dr. Stokes will discuss how she helped shape the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the largest federal climate law in American history, as she navigated a high-risk pregnancy. She’ll walk through her personal story — the political victories, tense negotiations, and setbacks — during a pivotal chapter in climate policy. After the author talk, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and meet Dr. Stokes during a book signing. Chaucer’s Books will provide copies of The Carbon Wave for purchase. Learn more and register.
CEC’s Green Gala
Saturday, September 19
4:30–9 p.m.
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
136 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara
Join us for Green Gala 2026, an unforgettable evening celebrating community, connection, and climate action on California’s Central Coast. Inspired by this year’s theme, Rooted in Hope, guests will enjoy a lively welcome reception and Green Gala Market, exceptional local wine, a climate-smart dinner created by Elizabeth Poett of Rancho San Julian and The Ranch Table in partnership with Duo Catering, live auction experiences, and inspiring stories of local impact. Proceeds support CEC’s work advancing clean energy, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and environmental leadership throughout the region. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Learn more and reserve your place.
UC Environmental Stewards Statewide Conference Comes to Santa Barbara
October 9 – 11
UC Santa Barbara’s Corwin Pavilion
6085 UCEN Rd, Isla Vista
Join the Community Environmental Council (CEC) as we welcome the UC Environmental Stewards Statewide Conference to Santa Barbara this fall. Bringing together climate changemakers from across California, the conference will feature keynote presentations, hands-on workshops, community conversations, and field trips exploring climate resilience, participatory science, and equity in conservation. CEC is proud to serve as the local partner for this gathering. CEC CEO Sigrid Wright will join Mia Lopez, Chumash Cultural Educator and Founding Director of Su’nan Protection, to welcome attendees on opening day. CEC Director of Education and Operations Kathi King will also lead a workshop highlighting how CEC’s Climate Stewards course empowers community members to take climate action. Learn more and register.
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Share Your Feedback: Help Inform CEC’s Climate Work
We want to hear from you! Take a few minutes to complete CEC’s Community Feedback Survey and share how CEC is doing, what environmental issues matter most, and how you like to connect. Your feedback will help shape how we focus our work, communicate with our community, and create meaningful opportunities for climate action across the Central Coast. The survey is fully anonymous and all questions are optional. Complete the full survey for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. Take the survey here.
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New $3,500 Incentive to Go Electric
California’s new MyFirstEV program is making it more affordable to make the switch to a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV). Californians purchasing their first ZEV can now receive $3,500 off a new vehicle or $1,750 off a qualifying used vehicle, with the savings applied directly at the dealership — no application or waiting required. The program is currently available through Hyundai, and Lucid, with additional automakers joining in the coming months. You may be able to stack savings. For personalized assistance finding EV rebates and incentives you qualify for, visit cec.pub/electrify-yourlife and fill out the EV Assistance sign-up form or contact CEC Climate Projects Associate Sachi Shiroma at sshiroma@cecmail.org or (805) 730-0203.
Learn more about the latest chapter in California’s clean energy leadership.
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Become a CEC Climate Steward —
Learn to Lead Climate Action in Your Community
Tuesdays, September 15 – October 27, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Online classes via Zoom and in-person field trips
Our Climate Stewards program is your chance to become a leader in the climate movement and turn concern for our planet into meaningful local action. Addressing the climate crisis takes many of us — non-profit leaders and staff, professionals, business owners, recent college graduates, retirees, high school students, and community members — to work together. Register to join a cohort of motivated changemakers, explore climate solutions through lessons and field trips, and design a personal Stewardship Project that makes a difference in your community.Through the course, participants gain access to resources, forge community connections, discover the science behind climate change, and learn how to effectively communication about the climate crisis. CEC’s Climate Stewards certification course is offered in September, January, and April. Learn more and register.
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Where Santa Barbara’s Changemakers Gather
Planning a board meeting, strategic retreat, workshop, or community event this fall? The Community Environmental Council’s Environmental Hub offers flexible, sustainably designed meeting and event space for nonprofits, educational institutions, and government agencies.
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With competitive nonprofit pricing, professional AV, and versatile spaces for meetings, trainings, film screenings, and community gatherings, The Hub provides the perfect setting to bring people together. Every booking also supports CEC’s work to advance climate solutions across the Central Coast.
Explore the space and book your event.
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Support Critical Work Like This
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Recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year and a City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero, CEC is led by CEO Sigrid Wright, 2022 Congressional Woman of the Year. See our most recent impact report to learn how we are serving California’s Central Coast by advancing rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis.
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Learn more about how you can invest in CEC’s work to accelerate regional climate solutions at cecsb.org/donate.
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