Governor Brown Supports Electric Vehicles

Governor Jerry Brown joined dozens of California business, automotive, consumer, technology and utility leaders to discuss public and private sector efforts to expand the state’s electric vehicle market.

Brown was Tuesday’s KVML “Newsmaker of the Day”.

“This is mainstream America, in California, promoting electric vehicles, electric charging and changing the very nature of how we live together,” said Brown.

The “Drive the Dream” event, sponsored by the California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative, featured the latest models of plug-in electric vehicles and highlighted new corporate commitments and partnerships to help grow California’s electric vehicle market and infrastructure.

At the event, Governor Brown also announced that he intends to sign two key bills to support electric vehicles in California before the end of the legislation session:

• AB 8 (Perea, Fresno): Extends to 2024 programs aimed at reducing auto emissions in California, including the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, the Air Quality Improvement Program, the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program and the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program.

• SB 359 (Corbett, Hayward): Provides $30 million to fund the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project and the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project; $10 million to fund the Heavy-Duty Vehicle Air Quality Loan Program; and appropriates $8 million for the enhanced fleet modernization program.

This builds on the state’s efforts to help California’s electric vehicle market grow, including an Executive Order issued by Governor Brown that established a target of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road in California by 2025 and a number of other long-term goals.

California also supports electric vehicles by:

• Offering consumer rebates for pure battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

• Giving electric vehicles access to HOV lanes.

• Supporting the state’s electric vehicle charging station infrastructure.

• Amending the state building code to require that new homes and buildings are electric vehicle ready.

• Developing permit streamlining guidelines for local governments to approve electric vehicle infrastructure.

• Funding vehicle-to-grid pilot programs that allow electric vehicle batteries to provide electricity to the grid when necessary.

The “Newsmaker of the Day” is heard every weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45am.