Accelerating Toward Zero-Emission Transportation
Newsletter September 2022
As extremely high gas prices make electric vehicles (EVs) even more appealing, California is once again accelerating the green energy transition. Last month, the California Air Resources Board issued a historic rule that bans the sale of new gas-powered cars starting in 2035. This bold action, by the largest auto market in the United States, will drive innovation that ripples out to other states and beyond.
On the California Central Coast, we’re ahead of this curve. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Community Environmental Council (CEC) and our partners, we have a robust and growing infrastructure for electric vehicle charging—2,017 chargers are already in place and 1,424 more are being built over the next two years at workplaces, multi-family properties, and public destinations across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. CEC has spent the last 10 years advocating for and educating the public about electric vehicles, resulting in our counties having three times the national average of per capita EV drivers.
However, a broad and equitable transition to zero-emission transportation is only possible if all drivers have access to EVs and charging infrastructure. In this issue, we highlight upcoming National Drive Electric Week events (see full details in this press release), including opportunities to learn how to take advantage of EV incentives included in the recent federal Inflation Reduction Act. We also share how individuals, cities, and local energy companies are all taking steps to make driving electric a reality for everyone on the Central Coast.
Learn Everything You Need to Drive Electric
Join us on Thursday, October 6 from noon - 1:15 p.m. PT for CEC’s Get Charged: Everything You Need to Drive Electric webinar. This free online event is a great launching point in your journey to driving electric with basics on charging and what’s available on the market. Hear first-hand experiences from EV drivers, including CEC’s Jen Hernández and Alhan Diaz-Correa, learn about local support available from agencies like Access Clean California and the County of Ventura, and find out how to make the best use of local, state, and federal incentives on the horizon. Learn more and register.
Provide Input on the Future of Central Coast Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments wants your help to identify sites for future electric vehicle charging stations. Six California Central Coast counties have collaborated on an interactive online mapping tool where people can share their opinions. Provide input and help accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles throughout the Central Coast.
Photo from Access Clean California
Get Money to Go Electric
People who live in the most polluted parts of California often have the least access to clean energy resources like electric vehicles and solar power, which can help clean up the air and reduce their energy costs. Access Clean California helps residents with low and moderate incomes get money and other benefits to help them make the switch to electric. See what benefits you qualify for and get on their email list to be notified when new incentives are available.
The Affordable Family EV
If we are going to justly transition everyone to electric vehicles, affordability is a huge factor. CEC’s Climate Justice Manager took advantage of incentives and rebates to drive electric for under $40 per month. Read about how she did it.
National Drive Electric Week Events
Events Start September 23, 2022
Featured Virtual Events
Charged Up: Everything you need to know about EV charging
Friday, September 23, 2022
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PT
Making the switch to an electric vehicle (EV) can be intimidating if you're used to refueling with gasoline. The good news is that charging an EV is easier than you might think once you know the basics. Discover everything you need to know about EV charging so that you feel ready and confident to make your next car electric. There will be plenty of time to ask questions. Hosted by Drive Green, co-sponsored by CEC. Register and learn more.
Maximizing the Value of Electric Vehicles
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. PT
Join the discussion about the value of the electric vehicle as battery storage for backup power for homes, businesses, and microgrids, and in the future, as grid storage using Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. Speakers will highlight the various technologies and protocols that are being developed and tested to facilitate widespread implementation of V2G. Hosted by the SLO Climate Coalition, co-sponsored by CEC. Register and learn more.
CEC Climate Action Webinar – Get Charged: Everything You Need to Drive Electric
Thursday, October 6, 2022
12:00 - 1:15 p.m. PT
Join us for a primer on making the switch to driving electric. You’ll hear from current EV drivers and walk away knowing everything from the basics of charging to what’s available on the used and new market. We’ll also cover how to access and make the best use of local, state, and federal incentives on the horizon—and how to get support in your EV journey. Hosted by CEC, Access Clean California, the County of Ventura, and others. Register and learn more.
Featured In-Person Events
Ventura EV Showcase
Sunday, September 25, 2022
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. PT
Ventura Harbor, 1591 Spinnaker Drive, Main Lawn, Ventura
Meet and mingle with members of our local EV community and explore an amazing showcase of electric vehicles, including cars, vans, SUVs, trucks, boats and more. These cars are displayed by their owners who have years of EV ownership and are enthusiastic and willing to discuss their experience and answer your questions about owning an EV. EV owners are encouraged to bring their vehicle to the showcase (register your vehicle with the RSVP button). Co-sponsored by CEC. Learn more.
Oxnard Thursday Markets EV Show
Thursday, September 29, 2022
9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Plaza Park, 500 S. C St, Oxnard
Join local EV drivers at Plaza Park Farmers' Market for an electric vehicle show. You'll get a chance to have all your EV-related questions answered and meet real EV owners. Learn about stacking rebates and incentives to get the best deal on your EV purchase, and how to get a car charger installed at your home or business. Spin the wheel for a chance to win cool prizes like gift certificates, stickers, water canteens, pizza, and more. Hosted by the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance and CEC. Learn more.
Santa Maria EV Showcase
Friday, September 30, 2022
5:30 – 8:30 p.m. PT
Town Center West Parking Lot, Broadway between Cook and Main, Santa Maria
Come enjoy the display of several electric vehicles, talk to the owners, and get informed about EV rebates and incentives, charging, and local resources. The showcase is a collaborative educational opportunity co-sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, the Santa Barbara Sierra Club, the Community Environmental Council, and the Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (C5). On-the-ground support is provided by members of the Santa Barbara EV Advocates. Learn more.
San Luis Obispo 5th Annual EV Ride & Drive
Saturday, October 1, 2022
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. PT
Prefumo Creek Commons, 11970 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo
Check out a wide variety of electric cars, bikes, and scooters, many of which will be available for a test drive or ride. EV owners will be on hand to answer your questions and talk about the joys of driving and riding electric. Snacks and drinks will be served. The first 75 test drivers will receive a free brunch (breakfast burrito, cookie, and a drink). Co-sponsored by CEC and the SLO Climate Coalition. Learn more.
Other Upcoming Events
Environmental Alliance Exhibits and Programs
Now through September
Launched at CEC's Santa Barbara Earth Day, the Environmental Alliance of Santa Barbara County Museums is a collaboration of 14 leading local museums and cultural institutions that are creatively exploring the impacts of climate change through art, history, science, or nature. Exhibits and activities, some of which CEC is a partner on, aim to inform, inspire, and prompt action. View the calendar of events.
We Need Renewables and EVs—What About Congestion and Social Isolation?
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
4:00 – 4:30 p.m. PT
Virtual
In this TEDxSantaBarbaraSalon event, software designer and author Brad Weed discusses some of the often overlooked issues related to electric vehicles (EVs), like whether they will relieve traffic congestion or make it worse, what pollutants they might produce relative to gas-powered cars, and how we can shift transportation so that we reduce social isolation and improve interactions with people. Co-sponsored by CEC. Learn more and register.
CEC at Jack Johnson’s Village Green: Enter to Win Tickets
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
5:00 p.m. PT
The Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas St., Santa Barbara
Musician, environmentalist, and long-time CEC supporter Jack Johnson returns to the Santa Barbara Bowl for his Meet the Moonlight Tour. If you have tickets to the concert on October 4, stop by the Village Green on the way to your seats and take action at CEC’s table to be entered for a chance to win prizes from Jack's "All At Once'' community, which promotes sustainable and equitable food systems, plastic free initiatives, healthy watersheds, and more. CEC is a non-profit partner of Jack Johnson’s All At Once social action network.
Don’t have tickets? Donate by Friday, September 23, 2022 and be entered to win a pair of tickets to the show. Minimum $10 donation for entry; unlimited donation entries allowed. Winner will be notified by email on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. Your gift will be tripled thanks to matches by the Johnson Ohana Foundation and the John C. Mithun Foundation. Donate now.
Unite to Light the Night Art Exhibition
Saturday, October 8, 2022
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. PT
The Community Arts Workshop, 631 Garden St., Santa Barbara
Climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations. That's why CEC is proud to partner with Unite to Light to help build resilience in communities across the globe. Join us for a free Community Showcase of a curated exhibition that merges art, culture, community, and social impact into a multi-sensory experience. Included in the exhibition is photography from Community Environmental Council UC Climate Steward alumna Meghan Woodbury. Co-sponsored by CEC. Learn more.
Support Critical Work Like This
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.
Visit us at cecsb.org/donate or learn more about how you can impact our future with a planned gift at cec.pub/legacy.
