California, which leads the country for the most number of electric vehicles and charging stations, aims big again. Its Governor Jerry Brown announced that the state wants have 5 million electric cars, plus 250 000 charging stations and 200 hydrogen fueling stations by the end of next decade.
This is a redefined goal, previously California planned to have 1,5 million zero-emission vehicles by 2025. The plan is certainly bold. In fact, it is the most ambitious goal in the US in terms of zero-emission vehicles. The question is not if it will achieve it, but – is it enough?
According to the office of government press release, In order to achieve this plan, the government is also proposing a new “eight-year initiative to continue the state’s clean vehicle rebates and spur more infrastructure investments”. Current initiatives pay up to 2500 dollars at the purchase of new electric vehicles. In order to bring 250 000 charging stations and 200 hydrogen fueling stations by 2025, investments of total 2,5 billion dollars have been pledged.
Today, the total number of ZEV vehicles is around 350 000. and they account for 5 % of all cars sales.
California can be certainly proud for its ZEV efforts, at least compared to other US states. Compared globally, it lacks behind other countries, such as Norway or China for example. USA has been the global economic leader ever since World War II. But where is that leadership now?
We face the threat of climate change, from which we can already see and feel the negative effects. In terms of climate change, USA is the second biggest polluter behind China.
However, it doesn’t have to be second for too long, because China is already implementing initiatives for renewable energy and has mandatory quotas on sales of electric cars. In the US, we don’t see that much effort, apart from private companies like Tesla. Step up your game America.
source of image: wikimedia.org
source of featured image: wikimedia.org
Author: Ing. Petr Štěpánek, Chief Editor, Future Media Production, s.r.o.