More charging stations are needed due to rebates for EVS

Q

I am sad that Assemblyman Phil Ting’s bill to increase state rebates for EVS did not pass. We need to incentivize both purchases of EVS (especially the lower-priced ones) and the installation of more EV charging stations. Chuck Martin, San Francisco

A

This is almost certain to come up again. Ting’s bill would set aside state money for this program.

No need to rely on federal aid or Donald Trump.

More than 1.5 million electric vehicles will be on California roads by 2025, and 5 million by 2030.

Assembly Bill 1184 would have created the California Electric Vehicle Initiative (CEVI). It would provide point-of-sale rebates to EV buyers, with the rebate value scaleddown as state EV sales hit certain milestones, up until 2030.

CEVI rebates would be redeemed at car dealerships, reducing the sale price right at the time of purchase and eliminating the need to file tax rebates with the state. They would be valued initially to make the cost of battery-powered vehicles comparable to similar models of gasoline-powered vehicles, after federal and other credits. Its $3 billion worth of incentives would come from a portfolio of taxpayer-neutral sources.

Transportation accounts for 40% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions.

California has set ambitious goals to reduce emissions by 40% below 1990 levels in 2030.

There are nearly 300,000 EVS on California roads today. In 2016, approximately 2.09 million new cars were sold in California and 1.9% were EVS.

The federal rebate of $2,500 is winding down but is still in play.

Q

Sounding off about electric cars. We love our Honda Fit EV (5 years old now), but not the way you have to charge it when away from home. It’s necessary to carry multiple credit cards, depending on what station you use: Charge Point, Plug Share, SEMA Charge, EV Connect, etc. You must keep them up to date and keep a minimum balance on every card. Ridiculous! You can’t simply use any credit card like in a gas station. Whoever came up with this business model should have gotten an “F” in their MBA class. Robert Benich, Morgan Hill

A

This too could change and should. It needs to be as hassle-free as possible.

Q

At Kaiser, I ran into a parking spot that was marked with disabled signage.

It also had an EV charger and was marked, “Unauthorized use while not charging can be subject to towing at owner’s expense.” I drive a gas vehicle with disabled plates. Can I park there, or is it only for disabled Teslas? Dan O’neal, San Jose

A

You can park there, but move your car when it has been charged.