| September 6, 2018, SANTA BARBARA, CA – The Los Padres Chapter Sierra Club and the Community Environmental Council (CEC) are proud to support local National Drive Electric Week events September 8-16, which provide free public showcases of the latest electric vehicles and information on the benefits of driving electric.
Events happening in the 805 region include:
Solvang Electric Car Show – Saturday, September 8
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
City Parking Lot , 470 Alisal Road
Oxnard Electric Car Show – Sunday, September 9
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Channel Islands Harbor, West Channel Park, 3600 Harbor Blvd
UCSB Drive Electric Workshop – Thursday, September 13
10 a.m.
Bren Hall 1414, UCSB Main Campus
Santa Maria Electric Car Show at Fiestas Patrias – Sunday, September 16
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Santa Maria Town Center West, 225 Town Center West
Lompoc Electric Car Show – Sunday, September 16
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lompoc Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot, 111 South I Street
At each car show, a wide variety of electric vehicles (EVs) will be on display with local EV owners available to share their personal experience and insights into driving electric.“Run, don’t walk to buy or lease an electric car or plug in hybrid,” said Jonathan Ullman, Director of Los Padres Chapter Sierra Club. “I just leased a 2018 Volt last month and haven’t stopped at a gas station since. I will never drive another gas-only car again.”
Attendees to any of the events can learn more about cash rebates, tax credits, and DMV stickers that allow single drivers to use carpool lanes. In addition, locals who currently drive electric vehicles will be on hand to speak about driving range, maintenance costs, and overall driver satisfaction. Environmental benefits will also be shared.
“CEC is deeply engaged in creating communities that are resilient to climate change, including finding solutions that help reduce our carbon footprint,” stated Sigrid Wright, CEO/Executive Director of CEC. “Since transportation is responsible for the largest percentage of California’s greenhouse gas emissions, educating the public on the ways electric vehicles are both economically and environmentally sensible solutions is a key component of our work to move to clean-fueled cars and reach state climate goals.”
At the show, CEC will also be sharing information about their recently launched Electric Drive 805, a coalition of the Air Pollution Control Districts, non-profits, and clean transportation advocates dedicated to achieving a rapid and equitable transition to electric vehicles. The coalition leads local action to increase access to efficient electric vehicles, allowing communities to reduce emissions from the largest source of pollution in the 805 region: the cars on our roads.
“First and foremost, the coalition members behind Electric Drive 805 want people to know that switching to an EV can reduce transportation costs for many families,” said Cameron Gray, CEC’s Transportation and Climate Specialist. “With the affordable leasing options and incentives available today, a family could use state rebates to drive a leased electric vehicle at almost no cost for the first 18 to 24 months.”
Among the various rebates that Gray referenced, the largest is the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), which offers between $1,500 and $2,500 back as a check in the mail to all Californians who buy or lease an electric vehicle. An increased CVRP rebate of up to $4,500 is available for low-to-moderate income households (defined as $48,720 annual income for a family of two and $75,300 for a family of four). Electric vehicle drivers also receive a Clean Fuel Rebate of $450 from Southern California Edison or $500 from Pacific Gas & Electric. Together, these rebates are sufficient to cover more than half the cost of a 3-year lease for some electric vehicle models, even before taking fuel savings into account.
Most electric vehicles get the equivalent of 100 to 120 miles per gallon. “A commuter driving an average of 50 miles per day in a 34 mile-per-gallon gasoline vehicle currently pays about $115 for fuel each month. Making the same commute in an EV would cost less than $15 in electricity each month, saving $1,200 each year in fuel costs alone,” said Gray.
Notable officials will attend the car shows, including Ventura County Fifth District County Supervisor John Zaragoza and Oxnard City Council Mayor Pro Tem Carmen Ramirez at the Oxnard event. In Solvang, Congressman Salud Carbajal and Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann will attend. An electric car driver herself, Hartmann shares, “My role of Supervisor has me driving to the far reaches of Santa Barbara County. Fortunately, I take solace that all that travel is emission free in my electric vehicle, a Tesla Model S. Its battery is charged by solar panels on my roof at home to boot. People have busy lives and I know that one barrier for folks thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle is the uncertainty about battery range. I hope to reassure even the busiest travelers that it is possible with an electric vehicle.”
Those – like Hartmann and Ullman – who drive EVs often cite the convenience of charging the car at home with no need to fuel up at gas stations. Since EVs don’t require oil changes and have fewer moving parts, the vehicles need far fewer tune-ups than gasoline-fueled automobiles. Many first-time EV drivers are also surprised by the smooth, quiet, and powerful ride. Electric motors provide instant torque from a standstill, which allows for incredibly fast acceleration.
Local electric vehicle owners and community members that plan to attend the free events are encouraged to register at the National Drive Electric website.
“This is where we owners are able to educate the public about how to own and use these vehicles, which are a pleasure to drive – simpler and less expensive than most potential owners believe,” said James Reach of the Los Padres Chapter Sierra Club, who owns a Tesla Model S with Autopilot.
To find more information about National Drive Electric Week events or to sign up to participate, visit driveelectricweek.org/events.php. |
