November 11, 2015
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Download PDF
The Conservation Law Foundation, Sierra Club and Acadia Center (collectively, “CLF”) released a report titled Charging Up: The Role of States, Utilities, and the Auto Industry in Dramatically Accelerating Electric Vehicle Adoption in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States (“Report”).
The Report outlines a “policy pathway” the organizations believe the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions should pursue to put additional electric vehicles (“EVs”) in use.
EVs are defined to include both all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The Report advocates the increased use of EVs because:
A switch to EVs cuts air pollution that endangers health and fuels dangerous climate change. EVs boost the regional economy and promote energy independence by keeping at home money that was previously spent on imported gasoline and oil. Ramping up EV adoption can deliver more of these needed benefits sooner.
The Report lists what it characterizes as “Nine Vital Steps” for Success:
- High-level task forces or commissions to provide state-level leadership and coordination.
- Consumer incentives to make EVs less expensive and more convenient.
- Programs to make EVs more accessible to low-income residents.
- Utility programs and investments that incentivize EV adoption as part of a modernized grid.
- Policies to promote widespread availability of consumer-friendly charging stations.
- State and local governments leading by example by integrating EVs into their fleets and other programs.
- Increased efforts by automakers to manufacture EVs that appeal to a broad range of consumers, and to market and sell them aggressively in and beyond California.
- Auto dealership programs that promote EVs.
- Public education and outreach to ensure the vast majority of consumers view EVs as a viable and desirable option
The Report includes a variety of figures regarding the use of EVs and the geographical along with associated trends.
Click here to download a copy of the Report.
The Between the Lines blog is made available by Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. and the law firm publisher. The blog site is for educational purposes only, as well as to give general information and a general understanding of the law. This blog is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Use of this blog site does not create an attorney client relationship between you and Mitchell Williams or the blog site publisher. The Between the Lines blog site should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.