SHOPSMART AUTOS – CUSTOMER INFORMATION – JUNE13, 2021 -1
Phasing Out Gas-Powered Cars, Here And Around The World
In the months since California Governor Gavin Newsom announced by
executive order
that the state would phase out the sale of gasoline-powered cars by 2035, the world has changed. The
Biden Administration
is ready to pull all the levers of federal power to support domestic electric vehicle production, including R&D, tax, trade, and investment policies. General Motors, the largest automaker in the United States, committed to selling only electric vehicles by 2035 – announced by a
splashy set of Super Bowl commercials
. On the state level, Massachusetts announced its intention to follow California by committing to adopting the 2035 phaseout date as part of its interim
Clean Energy & Climate Plan
.
Washington State
has introduced a legislative gasoline ban by 2030, recognizing the job-creating and economy-stimulating benefits of electric cars. Even little
Rhode Island
– a state with just over 3,000 EVs – recommended establishing a date to say goodbye to gas-powered vehicles. Although it’s hard to imagine for many Americans, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles may not be around for much longer. That’s why we hosted “Phasing out gasoline powered cars, here and around the world,” a panel discussion with experts who all want to speed the transition to zero-emission vehicles. Do We Have The Electricity Capacity To Support The Transition To 100% Electric Vehicles? If all vehicles were electrified overnight, then no, we would not have the generation capacity to charge them. However, gasoline vehicles will be phased out over many years. There is plenty of time for utilities and grid operators to plan and prepare our electricity infrastructure, and this work has already started. Owners of electric cars pay for the electricity they consume, and that revenue will help to maintain the grid. Smart planning allows for EVs to join the system with minimal infrastructure upgrades, applying
downward pressure on electric rates for all ratepayers.
Furthermore, utility companies like
National Grid
offer charging programs to reward EV drivers for charging at night, when the system has the most excess generating capacity. Others, like
Eversource
, have programs to manage demand more directly. If you’re still skeptical of the feasibility of 100% electric vehicles, there are plenty of reports out there that model the different pathways that New England can take to phase out fossil fuels by 2050. Both the
80×50 New England report from the Brattle Group
and
2050 Massachusetts Decarbonization Roadmap
study forecast the increased electricity demand from vehicle electrification. Utility planners, regulators, and legislators are taking note. How Are States Supporting Electrification In Rural Areas? Rural areas are more car-dependent than urban areas, driving
38%
more miles on average. A skeptic of electric vehicles might assume that they do not have the range to keep up if you live in the Berkshires. The truth is, today’s electric vehicles typically get about 250 miles per charge, which is more than enough for the daily rural average driving distance of 55 miles. In fact, rural residents have the most to gain from vehicle electrification:
- Since they drive more miles (and electric cars
cost less per mile
than gas-powered cars), the average rural driver could save $1,900 – $2,800 a year in fuel costs by switching to electric. - A greater proportion of rural residents live in single-family homes, which makes charging easier than in condos and apartments in big cities.
we could see a big shift in the rural car-buying market.
This report by the Union of Concerned Scientists
on clean transportation strategies for rural communities in northeast and mid-Atlantic states dives more into this topic. How Are States Supporting Low-Income Populations To Adopt EVs? Low-income Americans and communities of color are more likely to live in areas with terrible air quality and
suffer from respiratory conditions like asthma
. Electrifying vehicles will remove tailpipes from overburdened communities and address years of health inequity, on top of the climate benefits EVs offer. Although electric vehicles have a lower lifetime cost of ownership than comparable gas-powered cars, their upfront cost may still present a challenge to low-income drivers. In just a few years, there will be more electric vehicles available to buy secondhand, which can make sure all people see the benefits. California, which is ahead of the rest of the country in EV adoption, is setting a good example for how EVs can help working people with their
CleanCars4All
program; establishing point-of-sale rebates and used rebates will be a good first step in Massachusetts to make electric vehicles accessible to low-income drivers. However, we don’t have to wait years to equitably distribute the benefits of electrification. Many low-income Americans cannot afford any car and rely on the bus as their primary mode of transport. Diesel engines on buses and trucks are
the worst culprits of poor air quality
, so electrification of public transit fleets can clean up the air in a way that tangibly improves the quality of life for those that use them. To accelerate the electrification of commercial vehicles that pollute air the most, Massachusetts recently expanded the state rebate for electric vehicles to cover commercial fleets and medium and heavy duty vehicles, which can mean anything from an urban delivery truck to an interstate long-haul truck. The interim 2030 Massachusetts Clean Energy & Climate Plan anticipates electrifying medium and heavy duty trucks will account for a third of overall emissions reductions in the next decade.
Tags: 2019 Subaru Forester Touring, 2020 BMW iX3, 2020 Chevrolet Suburban, 2020 dodge charger, 2020 EQC, 2020 Ford Super Duty, 2020 Honda Pilot, 2020 Kia Optima, 2020 Mercedes Benz, 2020 Nissan Versa, 2020 Subaru WRX STI, Audi SUV, BMW, Brandon K. Hardison, Chevrolet Car, Chevrolet Sonic, Dodge charger, electric vehicles, honda, Honda Pilot, Hyundai SUV, Mercedes Benz, Nissan Rogue, SUV, upcoming car, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line, Volvo Car
Trackback from your site.
