Community Environmental Council, Electric Drive 805, and Community Advocates Invite Public to Explore the Rapidly Growing Electric Vehicle Landscape
National Drive Electric Week Events Highlight Affordability, Environmental, and Health Benefits of Electric Vehicles
September 14, 2022 (SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) - The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and their Electric Drive 805 coalition partners are proud to sponsor a variety of free, in-person, and virtual events leading up to and during National Drive Electric Week, scheduled for September 23 to October 2, 2022. The public is invited to learn about the wide range of electric vehicles (EVs) that can fit most every lifestyle and budget—and provide independence from fossil fuels.
National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide celebration aimed at helping the United States transition rapidly and equitably to cleaner transportation in order to protect communities from pollution and worsening climate change impacts. Transportation is the largest source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in California. To prevent further climate impacts and protect our air, the California Air Resources Board issued a rule last month that fully bans the sale of new gas-powered cars starting in 2035.
This year’s National Drive Electric Week comes at a pivotal moment, as federal and state initiatives make the switch to electric more accessible and affordable. On the California Central Coast, we’re ahead of this curve. Thanks to efforts by CEC and partners, the region boasts a robust and growing infrastructure for electric vehicle charging—2,017 chargers already in place and 1,424 more being built over the next two years at workplaces, multi-family properties, and public destinations across Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties. Combined, these three counties have three times the national average of per capita EV drivers.
“Recently we’ve seen strong momentum for climate solutions at national, regional, and local scales,” stated Michael Chiacos, CEC Director of Climate Policy, who has driven an electric car since 2012. “The Federal Inflation Reduction Act, coupled with California’s latest round of ambitious climate legislation, provides a rare opportunity to take strong climate action now. Getting polluting cars and trucks off the road is critical to securing a healthier and more resilient future for humans and our planet.”
The week’s events will share valuable information about how everyone, regardless of income level or transportation needs, can access a variety of money-saving incentives, including programs that provide increased financial assistance for low-to-moderate income households.
“Switching to an EV can be a cleaner and cheaper option for individuals who need to drive, thanks to a number of local and state EV incentives,” said Jen Hernández, CEC’s Climate Justice Manager, who used these incentives to afford her own clean vehicle. “Replacing gas-powered cars with EVs can advance community health, environmental justice, workforce opportunities, and economic equity, particularly for underrepresented communities that have been severely impacted by pollution-emitting vehicles.”
Both Hernández and CEC's Climate Justice Associate, Alhan Diaz-Correa, will share knowledge and personal experiences of driving electric during CEC’s Get Charged: Everything You Need to Drive Electric webinar on October 6 from 12:00-1:15 p.m. PT. This is part of a new webinar series focused on getting fossil fuels out of day-to-day life. See more details in the event lineup below.
The webinar will also highlight support available through CEC partner Access Clean California, a statewide program to help people take advantage of the many state and local incentives that make electric cars and clean energy more affordable. You can visit their website to find incentives and explore options, with information provided in multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
A range of free events throughout National Drive Electric Week highlight the many benefits—including financial savings—of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, e-bikes, and more. They also highlight the strong growth of electric charging stations and other infrastructure that makes it easier than ever to drive electric.
National Drive Electric Week Events
See a full list of virtual and in-person events here
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 car can be intimidating if you're used to refueling with gasoline. The good news is that charging an electric vehicle (EV) is easier than you might think once you know the basics. Join this hour-long webinar presented by Drive Green to learn 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. Co-sponsored by CEC. Learn more and RSVP.
Maximizing the Value of Electric Vehicles
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. PT
This webinar will feature a 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. Webinar speakers will highlight the various technologies and protocols that are being developed and tested to facilitate widespread implementation of V2G. Co-sponsored by CEC. Learn more and RSVP.
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 from CEC, Access Clean CA, 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
Explore an amazing showcase of electric vehicles, including cars, vans, SUV’s, 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. If you own an EV, register with the RSVP button and bring your vehicle to the showcase, meet and mingle with members of our local EV community. Co-sponsored by CEC. Learn more.
Oxnard Thursday Markets EV Show
Thursday, September 29, 2022
9:00 am - 1:30 p.m. PT
Plaza Park, 500 S C St, Oxnard
The Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) and the Community Environmental Council invite you to join us and 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. 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 by members of the Santa Barbara EV Advocates. Learn more.
San Luis Obispo 5th Annual EV Ride & Drive
Saturday, October 1, 2022
10:00 am - 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.
About the Community Environmental Council (CEC)
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) advances rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis – including ambitious zero carbon goals, drawdown of excess carbon, and protection against the impacts of climate change. CEC was recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year and a City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero, and CEO Sigrid Wright was recently named 2022 Congressional Woman of the Year. CEC has worked since 1970 to incubate and innovate real life environmental solutions that directly affect the California Central Coast. Our programs lead to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems and reduction of single-use plastic. Learn more about why CEC is one of only five nonprofits in Santa Barbara County to have the highest possible ratings on Charity Navigator and Guidestar at CECSB.org/impact.
Find CEC on the web at CECSB.org and on Facebook.com/CECSB, Instagram.com/CEC_SB, Twitter.com/CECSB, and Linkedin.com/company/cecsb/.
About Electric Drive 805
Electric Drive 805 is a coalition led by the Community Environmental Council that is dedicated to achieving a rapid transition to electric vehicles in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties. We help businesses and communities improve health and prosperity by reducing emissions from the largest source of pollution in our region: the cars we drive. Learn more at ElectricDrive805.org.
