Learn More About Electric Cars During National Drive Electric Week

By the Air Pollution Control District

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (C5), Electric Drive 805 coalition, and many other partners are proud to sponsor a variety of free in-person and virtual events during the upcoming National Drive Electric Week (September 23 – October 2). The public is invited to learn about the wide range of electric vehicles (EVs) that can fit many lifestyles and budgets.

National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide celebration to help the U.S. transition rapidly and equitably to cleaner transportation that protects communities from pollution and worsening climate change impacts. While our transportation modes continue to make vast improvements and tailpipe emissions get cleaner and cleaner, transportation alone is still responsible for more than half of California’s carbon emissions, 80 percent of its smog-forming pollution, and 95 percent of the state’s toxic diesel emissions. Recently, the State announced that by 2035, 100 percent of new cars and light trucks sold in California will be required to be zero-emission vehicles.

National Drive Electric Week is also a great opportunity to see what financial incentives are available, including for low-to-moderate income households. Here is a current list of incentives, many of which can be combined, if eligible, to maximize savings:

• Southern California Edison Pre-Owned EV Rebate program – up to $4,000
• Clean Vehicle Rebate Project – up to $7,000
• Federal EV Tax Credit – up to $7,500
• Access Clean California — a one-stop-shop to find the programs that California offers to help drivers switch to electric cars and clean energy. Use this link for personalized EV purchase guidance assistance

For entities considering installing EV charging stations, please note that funding is available through the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP). Funding remains for the purchase and installation of Level 2 charging stations at a variety of location types in Santa Barbara County and Ventura County. Visit this webpage for more information.

A range of free events leading up to and throughout National Drive Electric Week highlight the many benefits – including affordability – of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. They also highlight the strong growth of electric charging stations and other infrastructure that makes it easier than ever to drive electric.

Virtual events:

Each webinar is free and requires advance registration.

Maximizing the Value of Electric Vehicles– Tuesday, September 27
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. PT
Part 2 of a series discussing the value of the Electric Vehicle as battery storage for backup power for homes, businesses and microgrids and in the future, as grid storage using Vehicle-to-Grid technology. This webinar will highlight the various technologies and protocols that are being developed and tested to facilitate widespread implementation of V2G.
Register here:  https://driveelectricweek.org/event-attend

Get Charged: Everything You Need to Know to Go Electric – Thursday, October 6
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. PT
People curious about whether electric vehicles are right for them are particularly encouraged to attend. Experts in the field will share everything you need to know to start driving electric.
Register here: cec.pub/NDEW2022

In-person events:

Experience electric vehicles firsthand, get questions answered from experts and drivers, and gain the support and confidence to make the switch to electric. For greater detail and to register for these events, go to  https://driveelectricweek.org/. (Live events will adhere to all Public Health COVID guidelines and are subject to change based on these guidelines. For more information, see the in-person event safety requirements we are following at https://driveelectricweek.org/event-safety.)

Ventura EV Showcase – Sunday, September 25
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ventura Harbor Village Main Lawn
1591 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001

Ride and Drive at the Government Center! – Tuesday, September 27
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ventura County Government Center
800 S Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009

SLO Farmers’ Market Electrify Your Life Showcase – Thursday, September 29
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
SLO Farmers’ Market
1022 Morro St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Oxnard Thursday Markets EV Show – Thursday, September 29
9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Plaza Park
500 S C St, Oxnard, CA 93030

Santa Maria Downtown Fridays EV Showcase* – Friday, September 30
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Town Center West Parking Lot
371 Town Center E, Santa Maria, CA 93454
*This event received a California Clean Air Day microgrant, and visitors to the APCD-C5 booth can learn more about Clean Air Day, occurring on October 5, 2022. Take the Clean Air Pledge at www.CleanAirDay.org.  Partners for the EV showcase include APCD, C5, EV Advocates of Santa Barbara County, the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Community Environmental Council.

SLO EV Ride & Drive – Saturday, October 1
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Prefumo Creek Commons
11970 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405,