California Mandates Electric Cars for 2035 and the New Age of EV Charging
From an executive order made on September, 2020
“Executive order directs state to require that, by 2035, all new cars and passenger trucks sold in California be zero-emission vehicles “
The transportation sector is responsible for more than half of all of California’s carbon pollution, 80 percent of smog-forming pollution and 95 percent of toxic diesel emissions – all while communities in the Los Angeles Basin and Central Valley see some of the dirtiest and most toxic air in the country.
This plan may sound a little controversial, but let’s remember it’s 15 years away. The advances in battery and manufacturing technology are improving at an astronomical pace, year after year. The use of less toxic materials and increased focus on more responsible mining is already occurring and part of the plan for large manufactures like Tesla.
The second most heard grip about the mandate is often stated as, “We’ll be charging the cars with fossil fuels, so doesn’t that negate this whole idea?”
Here are some reasons why it is still a good idea:
In California our power mix is already cleaner that most of the U.S. and California does not even burn coal anymore. Therefore “plugging in” here is not the same as somewhere like West Virginia, where they burn almost all coal for their electricity.
By 2030 California pledges that at least 60% of our energy will be from renewable sources. Right now we are already at around 50% (depending if you count large hydro as renewable – click here for whole picture energy.ca.gov).
Another benefit we don’t always remember is that tail pipe pollution is a lot worse in cities which have more cars and traffic. Regardless of what source of energy we use while charging, driving all electric cars would improve the health and air quality for millions of our fellow Californians.
No matter how we get there, the answer is clear, society is moving towards electric cars.
Last year’s electric and hybrid cars were getting up to 150 miles per gallon compared to a 15 mile per gallon combustion engine truck! Read my previous article on Hybrid vs Electric vs Combustion Engines. Also, if you are worried about range, get a plugin hybrid car that uses the battery first then gasoline when needed.
Lastly if you produce your own solar, at your home, you just solved all the questions of sustainable energy for your home and your vehicle. Solar lasts 25 years or more and as battery technology is improving for vehicles it’s also “there” when it comes to home backup power systems.
With all that said, if you know anyone that has not gone solar, please warn them that home solar is going to get more expensive.
For high quality, experienced solar and battery backup installers, like SEG, we are seeing our schedule filling up as homeowners realize they better get in while the incentives are still here or fall to the mercy of PG&E price increases and PSPS’s. Policy is changing and it will have huge effects on the payback period of a solar and battery installs. Read about current policy here in an another article we published this month.
Take a eye-opening moment and watch the future happening right now in the video below. The new age of personal electric transportation and EV charging stations is upon us.
It’s been a challenging 2020, but in my mind, 2021 and beyond will see us stepping into a cleaner energy future and I am happy to be on the ride with you all.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Truly Yours, Harry
