What EMFs are produced by EVs and what are their potential impacts?
Most experts agree this isn’t a concern. Consumer Reports has an older study on EMF in hybrids, and Sierra Club has recently discussed the matter.
Most experts agree this isn’t a concern. Consumer Reports has an older study on EMF in hybrids, and Sierra Club has recently discussed the matter.
Is there going to be a solar tax bill in CA?
The state’s net metering rules will be changing soon. If you are interested in solar, you should get quotes from local installers now. They can explain how things are changing, but final details aren’t available.
The state’s net metering rules will be changing soon. If you are interested in solar, you should get quotes from local installers now. They can explain how things are changing, but final details aren’t available.
How does the number of people living in my household affect the amount of incentives I qualify for? Must they be legal dependents?
Eligibility is different for each program. You can review the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project eligibility info and Clean Vehicle Assistance Program eligibility info.
Eligibility is different for each program. You can review the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project eligibility info and Clean Vehicle Assistance Program eligibility info.
What data is available showing how much Californians have saved by using the various incentive programs available?
How successful have these programs been in helping increase EV purchases and leases?
Check out the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project data site and Clean Vehicle Assistance Program program data
How successful have these programs been in helping increase EV purchases and leases?
Check out the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project data site and Clean Vehicle Assistance Program program data
What plans does Santa Barbara County have to support EV drivers? More charging stations are necessary for EVs to be a reliable commuter option.
CEC has helped install 1,000 public chargers on the Central Coast:
Ventura County: 424+ public charging and 100+ fast charging stations
Santa Barbara County: 263+ public charging and 38+ fast charging stations
San Luis Obispo County: 282+ public charging and 34+ fast charging stations
CEC is part of the ElectricDrive805 collaborative which is working to bring additional EV charging to our region, promote EV friendly policies, provide EV education and awareness, and other actions to make it easier to drive EVs.
CEC has helped install 1,000 public chargers on the Central Coast:
Ventura County: 424+ public charging and 100+ fast charging stations
Santa Barbara County: 263+ public charging and 38+ fast charging stations
San Luis Obispo County: 282+ public charging and 34+ fast charging stations
CEC is part of the ElectricDrive805 collaborative which is working to bring additional EV charging to our region, promote EV friendly policies, provide EV education and awareness, and other actions to make it easier to drive EVs.
What if I purchased an electric vehicle between January 1 and August 16, 2022?
Vehicles purchased before the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law are still eligible for the previous tax credit. If you have a written contract to purchase a vehicle before August 16, but have not received it yet, you are still eligible to receive the previous credit as long as you “place it in service.”
Vehicles purchased before the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law are still eligible for the previous tax credit. If you have a written contract to purchase a vehicle before August 16, but have not received it yet, you are still eligible to receive the previous credit as long as you “place it in service.”
Given that fossil fuels are non-renewable (meaning that they are going to run out!), can EVs and their batteries be manufactured without fossil fuels?
Batteries for electric cars require energy to be manufactured, and in many parts of the world that energy comes from non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels. While the components of an electric car tend to consume more energy and materials during manufacturing than the components of a gas-powered car, electric cars generally have a much smaller carbon footprint over their lifetime according to the EPA. As the world moves toward a zero carbon world, factories are increasing their usage of renewable energy, so manufacturing emissions are dropping. Additionally, most vehicles use the vast majority of energy during the 10-20 years of driving the vehicles, with only a small fraction coming from manufacturing.
Batteries for electric cars require energy to be manufactured, and in many parts of the world that energy comes from non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels. While the components of an electric car tend to consume more energy and materials during manufacturing than the components of a gas-powered car, electric cars generally have a much smaller carbon footprint over their lifetime according to the EPA. As the world moves toward a zero carbon world, factories are increasing their usage of renewable energy, so manufacturing emissions are dropping. Additionally, most vehicles use the vast majority of energy during the 10-20 years of driving the vehicles, with only a small fraction coming from manufacturing.
Which would be the best option for cost and environmental benefits?
Would installation of a fast-charging plug at home to use for off-hours charging or solar installation with battery storage to support EV charging be the best option?
It depends on your home and driving needs. Many people who travel less than 50 miles a day or have a plug-in hybrid are happy with L1 overnight charging from a regular 120v outlet, and you may already have one in your garage or driveway. Adding a Level 2, 240v charger can cost as little as $800 or so if you have an uncomplicated install, but can get more expensive if you need to upgrade your panel. Solar with storage can cost more than $15,000 and on up, but will pay off in lowered electricity costs over the years, so it really depends on your driving needs and budget.
The federal Inflation Reduction Act can help with reducing the cost of panel upgrades, adding solar, and storage. 3CE can help with the cost of a panel upgrade or adding a charger, if you are in their service territory. SB Home Power is a new program to help you add solar and storage, and also contact a couple local solar installers to compare quotes.
Would installation of a fast-charging plug at home to use for off-hours charging or solar installation with battery storage to support EV charging be the best option?
It depends on your home and driving needs. Many people who travel less than 50 miles a day or have a plug-in hybrid are happy with L1 overnight charging from a regular 120v outlet, and you may already have one in your garage or driveway. Adding a Level 2, 240v charger can cost as little as $800 or so if you have an uncomplicated install, but can get more expensive if you need to upgrade your panel. Solar with storage can cost more than $15,000 and on up, but will pay off in lowered electricity costs over the years, so it really depends on your driving needs and budget.
The federal Inflation Reduction Act can help with reducing the cost of panel upgrades, adding solar, and storage. 3CE can help with the cost of a panel upgrade or adding a charger, if you are in their service territory. SB Home Power is a new program to help you add solar and storage, and also contact a couple local solar installers to compare quotes.
How will the new federal Inflation Reduction Act help me switch to electric?
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, signed into law on August 16, may be the most significant legislation to accelerate transportation electrification in U.S. history. Incentives endorsed by the IRA include tax credits for American-assembled light-duty EVs, used EVs, and charging equipment, plus programs to help businesses purchase heavy-duty EVs and related equipment. Read more here.
For California-specific information: Learn more about California’s transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) and the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, signed into law on August 16, may be the most significant legislation to accelerate transportation electrification in U.S. history. Incentives endorsed by the IRA include tax credits for American-assembled light-duty EVs, used EVs, and charging equipment, plus programs to help businesses purchase heavy-duty EVs and related equipment. Read more here.
For California-specific information: Learn more about California’s transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) and the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation
How will power outages affect my ability to charge an EV?
Some of the impact a power outage will have on EV drivers will depend on your household’s access to other transportation options. If a household has two gas cars and replaces one of those vehicles with an all-electric vehicle, they can consider if their remaining gas car will be able to meet all their transportation needs in the event of a power outage or emergency. People who are more concerned about the impacts of a power outage can consider purchasing a plug-in hybrid EV instead of an all electric vehicle, or can install backup battery storage at their home if they have the financial means.
While a power-outage is unlikely to really affect your ability to drive in most cases, it also never hurts to be prepared in case of a long-term outage caused by a natural disaster— the same way you would fill your gasoline-powered car with fuel or stock up on food ahead of time. While reserving your EV’s battery would be the best option, you could also use your L1 charging cable to plug into a portable power generator (or any working outlet anywhere, for that matter). You could also take your vehicle to a charging station outside of the affected area, or find an L3 charging station that uses solar power and/or backup battery storage to serve its customers.
Some of the impact a power outage will have on EV drivers will depend on your household’s access to other transportation options. If a household has two gas cars and replaces one of those vehicles with an all-electric vehicle, they can consider if their remaining gas car will be able to meet all their transportation needs in the event of a power outage or emergency. People who are more concerned about the impacts of a power outage can consider purchasing a plug-in hybrid EV instead of an all electric vehicle, or can install backup battery storage at their home if they have the financial means.
While a power-outage is unlikely to really affect your ability to drive in most cases, it also never hurts to be prepared in case of a long-term outage caused by a natural disaster— the same way you would fill your gasoline-powered car with fuel or stock up on food ahead of time. While reserving your EV’s battery would be the best option, you could also use your L1 charging cable to plug into a portable power generator (or any working outlet anywhere, for that matter). You could also take your vehicle to a charging station outside of the affected area, or find an L3 charging station that uses solar power and/or backup battery storage to serve its customers.
Can the electrical grid handle EV charging?
The short answer is Yes. Here is a detailed answer provided by the Union of Concerned Scientists that focuses on the national picture as well as one from Climate Nexus, and here is a California-specific answer provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The short answer is Yes. Here is a detailed answer provided by the Union of Concerned Scientists that focuses on the national picture as well as one from Climate Nexus, and here is a California-specific answer provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Should I buy an EV now or wait until my gas-powered car is at the end of its life-cycle?
Transitioning to an EV sooner is the best way to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution from our personal transportation, especially if we are currently driving an older vehicle that uses more gas and is higher-polluting. According to a recent study from the International Council on Clean Transportation, “battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have by far the lowest life-cycle GHG emissions… emissions over the lifetime of average medium-size BEVs registered today are already lower than comparable gasoline cars by 66%–69% in Europe, 60%–68% in the United States, 37%–45% in China, and 19%–34% in India. Additionally, as the electricity mix continues to decarbonize, the life-cycle emissions gap between BEVs and gasoline vehicles increases substantially when considering medium-size cars projected to be registered in 2030.
For most gas cars, only about 10-15% of lifecycle emissions occur from manufacturing and recycling it, with 85-90% of impact happening from the decade or two of driving it. Most EVs pay off their additional impact of manufacturing in 6 months-2 years, depending on battery size. If you can afford to purchase a much cleaner car and are most concerned about reducing carbon emissions, research shows that it is better to transition to an EV sooner. You can sell your old gasoline car to someone else who can use it until it reaches the end of its life and is taken off the road. We need to increase the number of EVs on the road relative to gasoline-powered cars.
Transitioning to an EV sooner is the best way to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution from our personal transportation, especially if we are currently driving an older vehicle that uses more gas and is higher-polluting. According to a recent study from the International Council on Clean Transportation, “battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have by far the lowest life-cycle GHG emissions… emissions over the lifetime of average medium-size BEVs registered today are already lower than comparable gasoline cars by 66%–69% in Europe, 60%–68% in the United States, 37%–45% in China, and 19%–34% in India. Additionally, as the electricity mix continues to decarbonize, the life-cycle emissions gap between BEVs and gasoline vehicles increases substantially when considering medium-size cars projected to be registered in 2030.
For most gas cars, only about 10-15% of lifecycle emissions occur from manufacturing and recycling it, with 85-90% of impact happening from the decade or two of driving it. Most EVs pay off their additional impact of manufacturing in 6 months-2 years, depending on battery size. If you can afford to purchase a much cleaner car and are most concerned about reducing carbon emissions, research shows that it is better to transition to an EV sooner. You can sell your old gasoline car to someone else who can use it until it reaches the end of its life and is taken off the road. We need to increase the number of EVs on the road relative to gasoline-powered cars.
What do I need to do to sign up?
Nothing. All customers are automatically enrolled in the new Community Choice Energy Program and will stay that way unless they take steps to opt out.
Nothing. All customers are automatically enrolled in the new Community Choice Energy Program and will stay that way unless they take steps to opt out. Because most of the community enrolls in the new program together, Community Choice Energy is a very powerful program to increase renewable energy, gain access to new rebates and programs, and help our region meet our climate goals. By staying opted in, you support a local program that aligns with local climate goals and keeps decision-making local.