FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2017
(PDF)

Contacts:
Cameron Gray, Community Environmental Council, Energy Program Associate, (805) 963-0583 x111
Lyz Hoffman, Air Pollution Control District, Public Information Officer, (805) 961-8819

Electric Car Show September 17 in Goleta
Groups Highlight National Drive Electric Week at the Lemon Festival

Sunday, September 17, 2017
10 AM – 3 PM
Girsh Park, 7050 Phelps Rd, Goleta  
Free electric car show at California Lemon Festival

GOLETA, CA – The latest electric vehicles will be on view September 17 as part of a celebration of National Drive Electric Week put on by the Community Environmental Council (CEC),partnering with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and Los Padres Chapter Sierra Club. The partners encourage all to attend to check out the latest models and find out about tax credits and rebates for buying electric.

Event highlights include:

• A variety of electric vehicles (EVs) on display – with latest models from local owners.
• An 11:00 a.m. workshop on the environmental and financial advantages of driving an EV, including incentives like the Federal EV tax credit, California’s clean vehicle rebates, and local incentives from Southern California Edison.
• Local EV owners available to share personal experience and insights.

“Providing opportunities for the public to interact with and learn the many advantages of electric vehicles, both for the environment and for local residents’ pocketbooks, is a key component of our work to combat climate change,” stated Sigrid Wright, CEO/Executive Director of CEC. “Transportation accounts for the largest share of California’s carbon footprint and air pollution, so moving to clean-fueled cars is among the most impactful things we can do to reach state climate goals and improve the health of our communities.”

CEC’s work at the car show is supported with a grant from the Plug-in Electric Vehicle Collaborative, and is part of the local Plug-in Central Coast initiative, a partnership between public agencies and nonprofits that work to support the adoption of electric vehicles in local communities. Earlier this year, Plug-in Central Coast received additional funding from the California Energy Commission for Zero Emission Vehicle Readiness Implementation, with a specific emphasis on projects that will deliver direct benefits to lower-income community members.

“Cars and trucks contribute significantly to the air pollution in our county,” said Air Pollution Control District Director, Aeron Arlin Genet. “With the rebates and incentives now available for EVs, and the variety of makes and models, now is a great time to drive a zero-emission vehicle.”

Cameron Gray, CEC’s Transportation and Climate Specialist, emphasized the economic benefits to EV drivers: “A family could lease an electric vehicle and use the rebates to drive it at no cost for the first 20 to 22 months, then pay around $200 per month for the remaining 14 to 16 months.” He continued, “Most electric vehicles get the equivalent of 100 to 120 miles per gallon, so we estimate a commuter driving an average of 50 miles per day in an electric vehicle could save around $120 on gasoline each month.”

Local EV owners are encouraged to register and bring their car to the event to share how driving electric is a feasible, economical part of their everyday life. “This is where we owners are able to educate the public about how to own and use these vehicles, which are a pleasure to drive, simpler and less expensive than most potential owners believe,” said James Reach of the Los Padres Chapter Sierra Club. Owners can register to participate in the event at CECSB.org/event/drive-electric-goleta.

The show is part of National Drive Electric Week, a nationwide celebration held September 9-17, 2017 to highlight the benefits and availability of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. Local sponsors of the Goleta National Drive Electric event include the Community Environmental Council, Los Padres Chapter Sierra Club, and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District.

About Community Environmental Council

Since 1970, CEC has led the Santa Barbara region – and at times California and the nation – in creative solutions to some of the toughest environmental problems. CEC innovates and incubates real life solutions in areas with the most impact on climate change. Our programs provide pathways to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems, and reduction of single-use plastic. Find CEC on the web at CECSB.org and on Facebook.com/CECSB and Twitter.com/CECSB.

About Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District is a local government agency that works to protect the people and the environment of Santa Barbara County from the effects of air pollution. The APCD has a program to fund public EV charging stations, and has helped fund 20 charging stations throughout the county.