We are proud to report 35,765 people attended Santa Barbara Earth Day this year! (And thanks to our stellar volunteers, who tracked entries from 6 locations). It's a beautiful thing when so many people can gather to share information, celebrate, and empower one another. Check out our "Live" site to re-live the magic: live.sbearthday.org
Our favorite stats
923 people took a test drive in one of the new electric vehicles in the Green Car Show. Thanks to the teams from Chevy Volt, Coda, Ford Focus, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota Prius for making this possible.
We counted about 1,500 bikes at the festival. 850 took advantage of free valet bike parking in Bike World. Still more came by foot or bus. Special thanks to our partners at the SB Bicycle Coalition, MTD, and Santa Barbara Car Free.
The amount of water distributed by our water stations this year was equivalent to 2,000 plastic bottles.
85% of the waste generated by the festival was diverted from the landfill. Special thanks to Green Project Consultants for hand sorting each piece.
Special thanks
A huge thank you to our core production and marketing partners: +One Events, LoaTree, New Noise, and Oniracom, as well as dozens of other production partners and hundreds of volunteers. We invite you to join us in applauding their incredible energy and commitment.
You can still give back
For those who participated in our text donation drive, many thanks. If you didn't get a chance, you can still make a $10 donation by texting "Earth" to 50555 and replying "Yes." We'll be pulling our raffle winners tomorrow - prizes include a bicycle, water bottles, and more. Your support allows us to host this event year after year.
We want to hear from you! What were the highlights? Suggestions for next year? Respond by Thursday at 5pm and we'll enter you in a drawing to win some fossil-free lifestyle gifts.
We know you took some great shots -- please share them!
You can post your photos and videos to one of our sites (including Facebook, Instagram #sbearthday, or Flickr) or mail a disc to CEC (26 W. Anapamu St. 2nd floor) for a chance to be used in festival promotional materials for 2013.
Did you watch the film "Who Killed the Electric Car," about the auto industry's backlash against California's electric car requirements and how GM crushed the EV1? The film is a cult classic and inspired many of today's electric vehicle owners or future owners to pledge that their next car would be electric.
Now for Revenge
On Wednesday, October 5, 2011, CEC and The Sustainability Project are bringing an exclusive preview of the sequel - "The Revenge of the Electric Car" - to the gorgeous Marjorie Luke Theater. The film captures the auto industry, one of the mightiest industries of all time, at a time when it is almost forced to collapse by the Great Recession, and being pushed by government regulations to design greener and more innovative products. Reviewers note that "Revenge" director Chris Paine gained extraordinary access to the automotive industry's movers and shakers, and tight editing and a spiffy soundtrack make the film highly entertaining. Even for those not interested in cars, the film has received rave reviews:
"Fascinating ... a hugely entertaining portrait. (Revenge) makes for a refreshing and ultimately very effective change of pace compared with the strident, propaganda approach so often employed by similar documentaries. Even the most skeptical global warming deniers are apt to find themselves rooting for this disparate group of risk-takers who may well be spearheading the long delayed transition from oil reliance to new technology." -Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter
Watch the Trailer
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Today's Electric Vehicles
The modern electric vehicles like the Tesla, Chevy Volt, and Nissan Leaf are a revolutionary product compared to gasoline cars, at least from the perspective of environmental impact and energy independence. With EPA ratings often exceeding 100 mpg equivalent, they produce zero tailpipe emissions, and on California's green, domestic grid, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent. Most inspiring, home owners with solar panels on their roof can power their car without using a drop of oil or generating emissions.
Event Details
On Wednesday, October 5, CEC will be hosting an electric car show from 5:30 to 7 pm. The Mobile Café will be on site selling nutritious food, and local businesses and organizations will provide informational displays. We will have reserved parking for electric vehicles (EV), in hopes of having the largest collection of EVs in Santa Barbara. If you are driving your EV to the screening, email
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to reserve parking.
The film will begin at 7 pm and will be followed by a panel of EV experts and owners, who will join documentary director Paine for a discussion about the benefits and difficulties of EV ownership and the future of the EV industry. CEC Transportation Specialist Michael Chiacos will also join panel and will highlight the latest in Plug in Santa Barbara's efforts to build charging stations and make it easier to drive electric vehicles.
The event is a benefit for The Sustainability Project, and tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 on their website, along with more information, at www.TheSustainabilityProject.org or for $15 at the door.
You may already know why we think electric vehicles (EVs) are so cool. EVs are around 3x more efficient than gasoline vehicles – that's how the EPA rates them around 100 mpg equivalent. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, and on California's clean grid, they produce around 75% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a comparable gasoline car.
Since the new generation of EVs started to hit the market this year, most of the questions we've heard are about range, permitting, rebates and how to actually purchase one. Here's what you need to know:
Range and charging
Many commuters find that they can make most, if not all, of their daily trips solely on electricity. The Chevy Volt has a 40 mile battery range and then can travel over 300 miles on gasoline. The Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus EV, and many other all-electric vehicles have a 70-100 mile range.
Most recharging is done overnight at home. CEC's Plug in Santa Barbara is working to get more public stations in place this year.
Many drivers install a 240-volt (Level 2) charging station in their garage and recharge the battery at night, when the cost of electricity is lower. Visit SCE for a calculator with various charging rates and other information. It generally takes about 3 to 8 hours to recharge from a Level 2 station, depending on the vehicle.
Permits
To install a 240-volt charging station, contact a licensed electrical contractor. The process is similar to installing a hot tub – your electrician will arrange the permit and inspection.
Rebates
A federal tax credit of up to $7,500, and a more limited California rebate of $2,500 are available.
These vehicles are in such high demand that manufacturers are increasing production volumes. Meanwhile they are difficult to find on the lot, so contact a local dealer to get on the waiting list.
By 2012, there are expected to be a dozen electric vehicles on the market, so the supply may be less constrained.
To track the latest news on these models, stay in touch with CEC through Facebook and our e-newletter.
Also, check out a green car show to see them for yourself. CEC hosts three shows per year where you can check out all the new electric vehicles. Shows in 2012 are scheduled for: Santa Barbara (April 21-22), Ventura (July 4) and Santa Maria (TBD). You can watch a 6 minute tour of the 2011 Green Car Show on CEC's website.
Do you already own an EV? We want to hear about your experience! Shoot a quick email to Michelle at
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"I happily participated in the Green Car Show Ride and Drive this past April and was able to drive a Nissan Leaf. I am a Prius driver, thus knew what to look for when trying out an all-electric car. Nissan did an excellent job making the Leaf a very 'consumer-friendly' automobile. The Leaf was comfortable, spacious and even fun to drive. Most importantly, I didn’t feel as though I was driving a 'golf cart'.
The CEC did a great job to provide our community with the opportunity to view and even drive a multitude of alternative vehicles in their Green Car Show. I look forward to following CEC's Plug In Santa Barbara efforts."
We are proud to report over 38,214 people attended Earth Day this year – our largest event ever! (And thanks to our stellar volunteers, who track entries from 6 locations). It’s a beautiful thing when so many people can gather peacefully to share information, celebrate, and empower one another. Our Favorite Stats:
1,130 people valet parked their bikes for free at Bike World, and more than a thousand others self-parked their bikes. Still more came by foot or bus. Specials thanks to our partners at the SB Bicycle Coalition,, MTD, and Santa Barbara Car Free.
We finally found a way to keep everyone hydrated thanks to two Water Monsters, which take local tap water, filter it and serve it cold to anyone with a refillable bottle. The amount of water distributed by the Water Monsters this year was equivalent to 3,200 6,000 plastic bottles (Edit: We recalculated and discovered our savings was much more than we originally thought).
523 people took a ride and drive in one of the new plug-in vehicles in the Green Car Show. Thanks to the teams from Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota Prius for making this possible.
All of the waste generated by the festival is being hand sorted by one of our major sponsors, MarBorg Industries. We will know our diversion rate at the end of the month.
Tell Us What You Think We want to hear from you! What were the highlights? Suggestions for next year? Respond by Wednesday at 5pm and we'll enter you in a drawing to win some fossil-free lifestyle gifts, including Key2Fitness gift certificates, CEC water bottles, Earth Day t-shirts and more.
Share Your Photos We know you took some great shots -- please share them! You can post your photos and videos to one of our sites (including Facebook or Flickr) or mail a disc to CEC for a chance to be used in festival promotional materials for 2012.
Special Thanks A huge thank you to our core production partners, +One Events and LoaTree, as well as dozens of other production partners and hundreds of volunteers. We invite you to join us in applauding their incredible energy and commitment.
You Can Still Give Back For those who participated in our text donation drive, many thanks. If you didn't get a chance, you can still make a $10 donation by texting "Earth" to 50555. We'll be pulling our raffle winners tomorrow - prizes include a bicycle, water bottles, and more. Your support allows us to host this event year after year.
Earth Day Rocked - Thank You!
We are proud to report over 38,214 people attended Earth Day this year – our largest event ever! (And thanks to our stellar volunteers, who track entries from 6 locations). It’s a beautiful thing when so many people can gather peacefully to share information, celebrate, and empower one another.
Our Favorite Stats:
1,130 people valet parked their bikes for free, and more than a thousand others self-parked their bikes. Still more came by foot or bus. Specials thanks to our partners at the SB Bicycle Coalition, MTD, and Santa Barbara Car Free.
We finally found a way to keep everyone hydrated thanks to two Water Monsters, which take local tap water, filter it and serve it cold to anyone with a refillable bottle. The amount of water distributed by the Water Monsters this year was equivalent to 3,200 plastic bottles.
523 people took a ride and drive in one of the new plug-in vehicles in the Green Car Show. Thanks to the teams from Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota Prius for making this possible.
All of the waste generated by the festival is being hand sorted by one of our major sponsors, MarBorg Industries. We will know our diversion rate at the end of the month.
Tell Us What You Think We want to hear from you! What were the highlights? Suggestions for next year? Respond by Wednesday at 5pm and we'll enter you in a drawing to win some fossil-free lifestyle gifts, including Key2Fitness gift certificates, CEC water bottles, Earth Day t-shirts and more. Sponsor or exhibitor? Take this survey. Festival attendee? Take this survey.
Share Your Photos We know you took some great shots -- please share them! You can post your photos and videos to one of our sites (including Facebook or Flickr) or mail a disc to CEC for a chance to be used in festival promotional materials for 2012.
Special Thanks A huge thank you to our core production partners, +One Events and LoaTree, as well as dozens of other production partners and hundreds of volunteers. We invite you to join us in applauding their incredible energy and commitment.
You Can Still Give Back For those who participated in our text donation drive, many thanks. If you didn't get a chance, you can still make a $10 donation by texting "Earth" to 50555. We'll be pulling our raffle winners tomorrow - prizes include a bicycle, water bottles, and more. Your support allows us to host this event year after year.
Experience cutting-edge technology first hand by taking an electric vehicle for a “ride and drive” at the 12th annual Green Car Show, held at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival. At the Green Car Show, CEC hosts the largest collection of efficient and alternative-fueled vehicles between LA and San Francisco.
This year we feature the latest electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles, like the Chevy Volt and the Nissan LEAF, and some are available for a test drive. We’re also showcasing vehicles that run on hydrogen, ethanol, biodiesel and compressed natural gas.
The Green Car Show helps CEC launch our new program Plug In Santa Barbara as we work to bring electric vehicle charging stations to the Central Coast and make it easier to use EVs in Santa Barbara. Get ready for plug-in electric vehicles and follow our updates on Facebook.
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