Sacramento, Calif. (AP) — As the state of California phases out the sale of gas-powered vehicles, one of the ways it’s trying to make it easier to buy and drive an electric car is through discounts, car-sharing programs, and There are at least 1 million public charging stations. car.
But the state will not force automakers to participate in equity programs to make electric cars available to people of all income levels.
“This rule had the opportunity to really set the course for low-income households to access and afford electric vehicles, but it fell short of its goals,” said the Greenlining Institute’s transportation executive. Roman Partida-Lopez, impartiality legal counsel, said.
Instead, auto companies can get extra credit toward their sales quotas by making their cars available for car-sharing and other programs for underprivileged people in California. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has pledged in six years for incentives to bring electric vehicles into the hands of low-income residents, charging infrastructure, and other efforts to put cleaner cars and trucks on the streets. He promised $10 billion.
The Stockton Mobility Collective is one example. Designed to increase transportation options in underprivileged parts of the city, the community will have 5-7 neighborhood charging stations with 30 electric vehicles that people can rent by the hour or day. I can do it. Last week, the apartment complex launched its first cars and charging stations. The program has received $7.4 million from the state.
Interest in the program is high because of the low car ownership rate in South Stockton, said Christine Corrales, senior regional planner for the program. But this is just the first step in a major effort to make electric vehicles a viable option for low-income Californians.
“If the infrastructure isn’t available locally, it can be hard to get people to adopt and switch. That’s something we’re actively working on.”
Regulations passed last week by the California Air Resources Board say that by 2035 the state will require automakers to sell only electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles, but not plug-in hybrids that use gas and batteries. You can also sell it. People will be able to buy gas-powered used cars, and car companies will sell plug-in hybrids. Beyond affordability and access, states need to overcome the skepticism of those who think electric vehicles are simply not for them.
“We have to get over the elitism around owning electric vehicles,” said Daniel Myatt, who introduced electric vehicles through the state’s Clean Cars 4 All program in 2020. sick.
Since 2015, over 13,000 electric vehicles have been purchased through this program. We offer up to $9,500 to replace your gas vehicle with an electric or hybrid model.
About 38% of the money spent on another rebate program goes to low-income or disadvantaged communities, with states spending hundreds of millions of dollars to build charging stations in these areas. But there are currently only 80,000 public charging stations in the state, far from the 1.2 million the state estimates she will need by 2030.
Under the new regulations, automakers can earn additional credit against their sales quotas by participating in multiple equity programs.
These programs include: Make sure your off-lease vehicle is sent to a California dealer who participates in a trade-in program. Or sell your car at a discounted price. Cars must cost less than $20,275 and light trucks must cost less than $26,670 to satisfy the third option. It only applies to model years 2026-2028 and there are no restrictions on who can sell these cars.
Southern California’s EVen Access has used a $2.5 million state grant to install at least 120 chargers in public places such as apartment complexes and library parking lots across 12 counties . Multifamily home owners can receive $2,500 for each charger installed at their facility.
Overall, the state should do more publicity about programs available for purchasing electric vehicles, said Lujuana Medina, environmental initiatives manager for Los Angeles County. The state also needs to invest in a workforce that can support the electric transportation economy, she said.
“There will be a need for very progressive public purpose programs that will drive adoption and sales of electric vehicles,” she said.
Alicia Young of Santa Clara, California, was unsure when she first heard about the state’s trade-in program. But she eventually pursued her contract, leaving behind her 2006 Nissan and switching to Ford’s plug-in her hybrid. After her trade-in price, it cost $9,000.
The car runs smoother and goes faster than any petrol car she’s ever owned. She mostly runs it on a battery charge, but she fills her gas tank about once a month. The apartment complex where she lives with her mother does not have car chargers, so she often relies on charging stations in grocery stores and other public places.
She shares information about the trade-in program with colleagues at the senior retirement center where she works, but many of them seem mistrustful, she said. The state can accelerate adoption by having public her messengers from diverse backgrounds to help build trust in electric vehicles, she said.
“It’s a little different at first, but that’s normal with newer cars,” she said.
