More cars going electric on the Central Coast
With the new California bill in place to use 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045, what does that mean for the gas-powered car sitting in your garage?
J.R. Killigrew with Monterey Bay Community Power describes the focus of the bill. “So, where we source our energy to power our homes and our businesses will come from 100 percent clean energy sources. That doesn’t mean necessarily every single vehicle on the road will be powered by electricity.”
Killigrew says the state aims to have around 15 percent of all cars be electric in the next 10 years. But with all of the positives surrounding electric cars they’re still costly, and there’s another problem. Electric car owner Erik Fries says, “Range was the issue. And I think what most people are thinking is, “Ok, but if I can only go 80 miles is it really that great of a car?”
Eric says along with going solar housing, he also switched to an electric car. He made the switch with the environment and wallet in mind. But charging it does pose a small problem when it comes to long distance. “It does change the way you kind of think about traveling. You have to think differently and know that you are going to have to stop and wait, but it actually allows me to stop and catch up on work and it actually makes my days better.”
And most people KION spoke with had the same positive outlook. Greg Stikeleather says, “It’s not a hassle, and it’s going to get faster and faster. So that is just where it is going. And once people drive in these cars it is really the future.”
And while making the switch to 100 percent electric vehicles seems a little farther out, it’s all about the small steps.
“Everyone pretty much has it on their horizon ’cause there are some standards that have to be met for new vehicles in terms of transportation for the public sector. And I think by 2030, most new (public sector) purchases have to be electric buses, actually,” Killigrew says.
Officials say Monterey’s move towards electric cars will help bring more jobs to the area.
