Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Help bring more electric vehicles to the Northeast


It's Time to Go Electric
More than half of drivers in the Northeast are interested in electric vehicles—but the cars simply aren't available to them. Policies can help make electric vehicles an easy choice for consumers. Tell your governor it's time to ramp up electric vehicle policies.
Related Links
Who's Leading on EVs?
Why the Northeast is Ready for EVs
EV Emissions Tool
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ACTION ALERT
Tell Your Governor to Boost Electric Vehicles in the Northeast

Dear Michele,

Electric vehicles (EVs) reduce oil use, cut global warming emissions, eliminate tailpipe pollution, and slash fuel costs. And they are fun to drive! EV technology is rapidly improving and costs are coming down, but we still aren't seeing the kind of mass-market shift we need here in the Northeast.

Broadening EV adoption requires putting the right set of policies in place—reducing barriers to new car buyers, increasing investments in charging infrastructure, and incentivizing automakers to bring EVs to market.

Massachusetts is part of a multi-state effort to bring millions of EVs to the Northeast, but more work is needed to ensure we reach this goal. Join other experts in a letter asking your governor to strengthen state and regional programs that get EVs from the onramp to the fast lane.

Our survey with Consumers Union found that more than a third of drivers in the Northeast would consider an EV as their next car and more than half had some interest in EV technology. But while interest in EVs is high, the cars simply aren't available outside of California. Several EV models are only available in a handful of states, and the Northeast has far fewer numbers of EVs on dealership lots. For example, a recent UCS report found that between January and June of 2016, Boston had 90 percent fewer EV listings than Oakland, making it harder for consumers to find an electric car that works for them.

Transportation is the largest source of emissions in the Northeast, and transitioning to EVs will put us on the road to meeting our climate goals while cutting oil use and eliminating tailpipe pollution that disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities. Making the switch to EVs should not only be easy, it's a necessity. Governors need to work together to expand adoption of EVs.

Drivers want to go electric, but we need policies to get automakers to put in the effort. Join our letter from experts like you demonstrating the critical need to support policies that will help bring EVs to the Northeast.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Fort
Eleanor Fort
National Field Organizer
Clean Vehicles Program
Union of Concerned Scientists

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