CEC helped cut the ribbon on 6 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Solvang, along with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, City of Solvang, and County of Santa Barbara representatives.
These are the first of dozens of stations being constructed throughout Santa Barbara County as part of Coulomb Technologies’ ChargePoint America program. Funding for the stations comes from the Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission, and private sources.
CEC played a major role extending this program to the Santa Barbara/Ventura area as well as identifying and coordinating sites with local partners.
These new charging stations charge at 240 volts, twice to four times as fast as a 120 volt outlet. The stations allow pure EV owners (like the Nissan LEAF, and the upcoming Mitsubishi I, Ford Focus EV, and Tesla Model S) the opportunity to “top-off” thus extending the places they can visit. They also allow plug in hybrid drivers (like the Chevy Volt, and the upcoming Toyota Plug in Prius) the opportunity to charge up and travel more miles on electricity instead of gasoline.
There are 3 charging locations now active in Solvang, each with 2 charging ports, for a total of 6 charging stations—all open 24/7:
Veterans Memorial Hall Parking Lot at 1745 Mission Drive
City Parking Lot 1 at 1576 Mission Drive
City Parking Lot 3 at 482 Alisal Road
Parking is free in Solvang’s public parking lots and the City of Solvang currently charges $1.25/hour to use the stations.
Soon, the County of Santa Barbara will greatly expand this network, installing 18 charging stations at 9 County owned sites in Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria. Cities in San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties have also added charging stations in recent months to join the hundreds of public stations that are now available throughout California.
CEC welcomes these charging stations to our region, and excitedly awaits the dozens of more coming on line soon.
EVs provide significant environmental and societal benefits to EV drivers, such as:
New electric cars achieve around 100 mpg equivalent, according to their EPA labels. Electric motors are 3 times more efficient than gasoline motors, with little waste heat, noise, or emissions.
EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, benefitting society with cleaner air.
EVs reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 75% in California, as our grid is very clean, with very little coal. We currently get 20% of our electricity from renewable energy, and this is mandated to increase to 33% by 2020. Thus EVs get cleaner as they age, unlike gasoline cars, which get dirtier.
EV owners can charge up for $1/gallon equivalent if they take advantage of cheap, off peak nighttime charging. The money saved can be spent on local goods and services, instead of going to foreign countries.
EVs and solar panels go great together. 2 kW of solar allows an EV driver to “drive on sunshine” for 12,000 miles per year. 2 kW of solar currently costs around $7,000-8,000 after incentives – much cheaper than paying for 25 years of gasoline!
EVs are very fun to drive, with lots of torque right off the line.
Join CEC at workshops for prospective electric vehicle (EV) owners, with info about rebates, home charging units, and public fast-charging stations. The workshops will also include test drives and a conversation with current EV owners. Come to one of the workshops to learn one of these vehicles might work for you, or pass this announcement along to friends that might be considering a new car.
Free lunch is included but requires an RSVP. RSVP today >
Santa Barbara Workshop
Saturday, January 28, 2012 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Santa Barbara MTD | 550 Olive St. | Santa Barbara, CA 93101 More event information...
Camarillo Workshop
Sunday, January 29, 2012 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pleasant Valley School District Auditorium, 2222 E Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93010 More event information...
Why is CEC so interested in electric vehicles?
These revolutionary new vehicles are not only fun to drive, but they achieve approximately 100 mpg equivalent, produce zero tailpipe emissions, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 75% (or 100% if you plug in to rooftop solar panels). By the end of this year, there will be a dozen new models of EVs of all shapes and sizes on the market.
Fossil fuels have carried us a long way. But after 100 years, it's time to call it. The age of fossil fuels is over.
If we do it right, we can shift into a new economy fueled by clean, renewable energy. One that results in a net gain of $1.5 billion to our county’s economy by 2030. This is CEC’s mission, and we need your help.
Step 1: Watch
Check out this fast-paced 2-minute video about a movement in Santa Barbara to get off fossil fuels in one generation:
A New Movement | Community Environmental Council
Love the video? Share it with your networks. Build the movement.
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) relies heavily on support from the community. We've been pioneering real life solutions to environmental problems for 41 years. Learn about our results in 2011 (PDF download). Invest in a future powered by clean energy. Invest in CEC.
Support solar power and wind power
Your $60 membership moves our region away from dirty energy. CEC links homeowners with solar installers, helps non-profits go solar, and advocates for large-scale wind and solar farms.
Stand up for more efficient vehicles
Your $60 membership paves the way for more electric cars and hybrids. CEC hosts 3 Green Car Shows a year and is helping to locate and install more than 50 new charging stations this year.
Choose a more walkable and bikable community
Your $60 membership creates a community that centers around people, not cars. CEC gets citizens involved in community planning, and advocates for more walkable, bikable neighborhoods.
Back in August, we reported that Coulomb Technologies would be installing 50 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Santa Barbara as part of the ChargePoint America program. This week, CEC learned that we can expect even more charging stations throughout our region thanks to a similar project overseen by Ecotality, which recently expanded its efforts to include the Santa Barbara and Ventura regions. The EV Project is a $230 million public-private partnership that aims to put 14,000 EV charging stations across America. CEC is now working with them to identify appropriate locations on the South Coast.
Why electric?
CEC is excited about electric vehicles because they offer revolutionary, not incremental, benefits compared to gasoline cars. They get around 100 mpg equivalent, produce zero tailpipe emissions, and reduce greenhouse gases by 75% on California's green grid. Installing public charging stations for electric vehicles makes it easier to drive electric. Read more about CEC's efforts >
How you can help
CEC is working with Ecotality to help identify locations to install these charging stations in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. An ideal spot would be accessible to the public – such as a business, workplace, or hotel. It helps if you are the owner, an employee, or a loyal customer who can help champion the process. If you know of a good location, please contact CEC's Transportation Specialist, Michael Chiacos at
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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.
Written by Sigrid Wright
on Wednesday, 14 September 2011.
Tucked away on a peaceful cul-de-sac that backs up to Elings Park, Dan Emmett's home wouldn't be thought of as an environmental statement at first glance. The solar paneled roof – barely visible except from the upper lawn in the back yard – might even go unnoticed. But Dan and others like him are starting a quiet revolution, built around the idea that solar electricity can power their homes, hot tubs, and even cars.
Dan and his partner Henri Bristol had a 3.5 kW solar panel system installed on their house last year, in part because they were expecting delivery of one of the first all-electric vehicles to be sold by a major car manufacturer, the Nissan Leaf. "I signed up for the Leaf the day they opened the waiting list – even before the cars had been manufactured," he says.
As CEO of a solar energy startup company, Dan wanted to get as close as possible to driving without fossil fuels. "I didn't want to just get a hybrid; I wanted to be completely off petroleum. I wanted my only trips to the gas station to be to be for a pit stop," he says.
"I like the security of knowing that if something were to happen – an earthquake, disruption to the supply of gasoline, or other crisis – I can still get around," he says. "I love how quiet the car is, and also how clean – no tailpipe, no emissions. My bedroom is above the garage, so I like the peace of mind of not having fumes or combustibles just a few feet under my pillow."
He also points out the financial benefits. By day, if his solar panels are generating more electricity than he's using, that electricity is fed into the Southern California Edison grid, where he avoids paying the highest peak period rates of 55 cents per kWh. At midnight, when he charges the car under special "time of use" rates for electric vehicle owners, he pays 10 cents per kWh.
For the most part – like most electric vehicle owners – Dan charges his car battery at home. When he was on the waiting list for his Nissan Leaf, the company sent out a licensed electrician, who recommended that he install a 220-volt charging unit in his garage. "The car does come with a charging kit for a 110-volt outlet, but they call that a 'trickle charge.' It is very slow – you wouldn't even get a full charge overnight." He opted for the 220-volt charging unit, the cost of which was partially offset by a federal tax credit.
With the solar panels on his roof and the new charging station in his garage, Dan was almost ready to leave Santa Barbara in his sunshine-powered car. He just had one problem – something electric vehicle drivers call 'range anxiety' or the fear of running out of juice. He recalls, "I didn't just have range anxiety, I had range panic. I made it to L.A. on the original charge, but it was really dicey – I was in heavy traffic, and I had two miles left on the battery when I got to my destination. When they said that the car had 100 to 120 mile range, I knew that was variable, but my trip was 87 miles door-to-door and I thought I would have more leeway." Since then, he's gotten more accustomed to driving electric and is a pro at finding public charging stations on longer trips.
"It's amazing where technology is – everything is intuitive and transparent. To anyone who is thinking about doing something similar, I would say do it. You will see your gasoline bills and electricity bills go away. It's a lifestyle choice that I think is only going to get easier as the technology improves."
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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Great news for electric vehicle (EV) owners and prospective owners on the South Coast - Coulomb Technologies, a leading provider of electric vehicle charging stations, is providing 25 (or more) charging stations to Santa Barbara County. As the first universal charging stations in our region, they will make it easier to drive an EV. Since Santa Barbara is a large early-adopter market, many of our residents are already driving the Nissan LEAF, Chevy Volt, or will soon be driving some of the 12 EVs due on the market next year.
The new stations will be open to the public and strategically placed throughout the region, clustered in the areas of highest potential use, like downtown public parking lots. They are offered as Coulomb expands its ChargePoint America program, a public-private $37 million partnership to install 4,600 charging stations in key cities across America by the end of 2011.
Electric vehicles are a major component of CEC’s Fossil Free by ‘33 vision because they get around 100mpg equivalent and run on electricity instead of oil.
California is an exceptional place to leverage the benefits of EVs because our SoCal Edison grid already contains almost 20% renewable energy.
This will increase to 33% by 2020, so EVs actually get cleaner as they age. Due to California's cleaner grid, an EV here emits around 75% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a comparable gasoline car. An added bonus - residents with solar panels on their roof can take it a step further by charging their electric vehicle at home. This means they're driving on sunshine!
Want to know more?
CEC leads Plug in Santa Barbara, a group of cities, businesses, utilities and others working to build charging stations and make it easier to use EVs. In fact, this group was essential in attracting these charging stations to Santa Barbara. Learn more at www.PluginSB.org and "like" us on Facebook to get the latest news.
Now you can connect with CEC and our programs – on Facebook, by email, and here at our blog – to get breaking news on the latest events and great opportunities to get involved. Join us at Facebook.com/CECSB and know what’s going on in your community.
With so much going on at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival, you’ll hear about festival highlights first on our Earth Day FestivalFacebook page.
CEC co-hosts the Green Shorts Film Festival with Traffic Solutions during Earth Day season. Watch all the short films and get updates on public screenings on the Green Shorts Film FestivalFacebook page.
Are you a Santa Barbara homeowner interested in home solar power? Check out Solarize Santa Barbaraon Facebook for program updates, ways to participate, helpful resources, and a place for discussion on this group purchasing discount program for solar power.
Keep up with news on electric vehicles and plug-in electric hybrid cars on our Plug In Santa BarbaraFacebook page. CEC is making it easier to use electric vehicles in Santa Barbara and our region – find out what we’re doing.
Follow Rethink the Drinkon Facebook and learn how CEC is putting filtered water stations in local schools and promoting the use of refillable canteens. We’ve already reduced waste from thousands of disposable plastic bottles.
provider of electric vehicle charging stations, is providing 25 (or more) charging stations to Santa Barbara County. As the first universal charging stations in our region, they will make it easier to drive an EV. Since Santa Barbara is a large early-adopter market, many of our residents are already driving the Nissan LEAF, Chevy Volt, or will soon be driving some of the 12 EVs due on the market next year.
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