EV sales continue to grow in California

I am writing in response to the recently published Another View commentary by Charles Murray (“The middle class is not buying electric vehicles as expected,” Nov. 13). Murray should have pointed out that EV sales are rising in California. They are not just for “wealthy environmentalists” anymore, as Murray seems to believe.

Many models are extremely affordable and even higherend models have had prices slashed. Additionally, Ride and Drive Clean, an EV advocacy nonprofit organization, has a discount campaign until Nov. 30 offering thousands off the price of popular models. State, federal and utility incentives, as well as tax credits, help achieve cost parity with gasoline vehicles.

Those who want to lease an EV can get great deals because the dealer passes the federal tax credit onto the lessee. Some dealers are even giving away a home charger with the car. Used EVs offer another affordable option and gives the buyer a $4,000 tax credit.

According to the California Energy Commission website titled “Zero Emission Vehicle and Infrastructure Statistics,” in 2022, EV and plug-in hybrid sales grew 18% while gasolinevehicle purchases shrank. In the first quarter of 2023, EV and plug-in hybrids make up an even greater percentage of the market.

Electric vehicles are affordable, safer, cheaper to fuel (as well as maintain) and outperform gasoline vehicles in every way. Last year brought record sales and 2023 is looking even better.

The exhaust from gasoline vehicles is a major contributor to our changing climate. Climate change is a major factor in recent extreme weather events and catastrophic wildfires. Considering all that, I think you can expect the transition to zero emission vehicles to keep growing.

— Susannah Saunders,

San Anselmo