All eyes are on the federal government as the newly revealed Build Back Better Act was unveiled yesterday. The proposed legislation includes key investments in EV infrastructure, including a national network of charging stations, in addition to new EV tax credits that would make these vehicles more accessible and affordable than ever. Our team is monitoring progress of the legislation with an eye on how electric transportation in the U.S. may be amplified.
For some certain good news, we invite you to join us in giving Patrick King a warm welcome to our team. In Patrick's Electric Transportation Equity Manager position, he'll guide our program to ensure under resourced communities are prioritized in the electric transportation transition.
This month's newsletter takes a closer look at Florida's EV master plan, battery storage, solar power and how they relate to EVs. We also hear from a Republican Tennessee State Senator on why the Volunteer State and the federal government need to step up its commitment to electric transportation growth.
As we continue to track the progress of electric transportation growth in the Southeast and beyond, we remain grateful for our readers who stay connected to us and others on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To receive these newsletters in your inbox, click here to sign up!
Charging Forward,
Dory Larsen
Powering the EV Movement
Patrick King Joins SACE to Expand Electric Transportation Team
We're excited to introduce Patrick King, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy's new Electric Transportation Equity Manager who will work on our Electrify the South program! Patrick's community engagement and capacity building experience will help accelerate the transition to equitable electric transportation by promoting the growth of electric transportation ownership for all, and supporting equitable electric transportation policies and programs. Read more.
Florida Prepares to Accelerate Electric Vehicles
Over the past year, the Florida Department of Transportation engaged electric vehicle (EV) stakeholders to develop Florida's EV Master Plan. The plan isn't perfect, but it is a critical step towards accelerating transportation electrification across the state. The plan did a commendable job highlighting EV adoption benefits, trends, barriers, and considerations across multiple vehicle types and use cases in its recently released master plan. Many of the objectives and strategies outlined will support EV market growth. Read more.
Electric Vehicle Sales are Booming in the U.S., But the Southeast Lags
Across the country, electric vehicle sales are skyrocketing, but according to our latest "Transportation Electrification in the Southeast" report published with Atlas Public Policy, the Southeast isn't keeping up the same growth pace when it comes to sales and installation of EV chargers. By evaluating best practices and case studies from around the country, like tax credits and financial incentives, we can equitably accelerate EV adoption. Read more.
Report: electric vehicles could add $47 billion annually to Southeast economy
According to our recent report, "Retained Transportation Fuel Spending in the Southeast: Electric vs. Internal Combustion Vehicles," Because most electricity is generated locally, the shift from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles would not only save consumers money at the plug but also keep $47 billion of their transportation fuel dollars in the Southeast's economy. Read more.
Get Plugged-In
EV Car Show and Ride and Drive
Event
Join Drive Electric Tampa Bay to learn the benefits of electric vehicle use by incorporating electric cars, bicycles, boats, and golf carts into their annual event. There will be a ride and drive available for those interested in test driving an electric vehicle.
Additionally, the event will feature an electric car exhibit, a green market, sustainable vendors, and environmental education. This family-friendly event will have youth activities.
EV Car Show and Ride and Drive
Saturday, November 13, 10 AM - 2 PM ET
100 State St West, Oldsmar, Florida
E-Mobility Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference
Event
The E-Mobility Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Virtual Conference will take place on November 17th and 18th, 2021. This 2-day virtual conference is presented by EVNoire, national thought leaders in e-mobility best practices and e-mobility equity, and Forth, leaders in smart transportation and producers of the national Roadmap Conference. The E-Mobility Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference will explore and facilitate real conversations about strategies and best practices for engaging diverse communities, often hit worst and first by air pollution, in electric mobility. To realize this potential, we will need to work together in new ways, build new capabilities, and engage in new ways of thinking, programs and policies.
Who Should Attend: This conference is designed for transportation, environmental, and social justice professionals and advocates from government, utilities, automakers, mobility companies, charging firms, nonprofits, and other organizations engaged in transportation. Interactive sessions will explore best practices and lessons learned, highlight case studies, explore tools, build capacity to forge new relationships and tackle difficult conversations.
E-Mobility Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference Wednesday, November 17 + Thursday, November 18, 12 PM - 5 PM
Action
The specialty license plate campaign in North Carolina continues to move forward and only 40 license plate applications are needed to get across the finish line! Recently, Rep. Julie von Haefen's bill to approve the plate passed the House Transportation Committee. Now it's on to the Senate. North Carolinians interested in getting the specialty license plate design can still apply, and applicants' initial $10 fee may be covered by Plug-in NC. If the design is approved, the plate can increase awareness of and support for electric vehicles no matter what kind of vehicle they are on. Sign up today for a chance to be entered in a $500 raffle!
Paving the Way
Beyond money and jobs, electric cars and trucks are important for our health and the health of our children, who are especially affected by pollution. Now is the time for Congress to accelerate electric car and truck production in the Southeast and the U.S., because the tipping point at which electric cars and trucks will forever overtake their gas-powered ancestors is here, writes Richard M. Briggs, M.D., a Republican Tennessee state senator representing the 7th District, which encompasses part of Knox County Senator Briggs is also a retired U.S. Army colonel.
Studies have long pointed to air pollution in the United States disproportionately harming poor and minority communities. But a pair of recent studies that examined tailpipe pollution in major urban hubs suggest policymakers could craft regulations more effectively to reduce air pollution disparities by targeting emissions from diesel vehicles.
Battery storage + solar + EV charging offers multiple grid benefits, improves the driver experience, reduces emissions, and helps the bottom line. As battery and solar prices drop and EV sales rise, this technology integration will pencil out. But for now, supportive policies and incentives are needed to ensure that the charging infrastructure deployed today will support long-term grid performance, maximize climate benefits, and meet drivers' charging needs.
As part of its plan to make all city vehicles carbon-free by 2030, the City of Charlotte plans to double the number of electric vehicles in its fleet. But once those additional EVs are here, only 2% of the entire fleet of 4,295 vehicles will be electric, leaving just eight years to transition the rest.
Readers Kicking Gas
Every month we'll spotlight stories and photos from YOU, our readers, about how EVs play a role in your world. To be featured in an upcoming ETS newsletter, send us an email here!
Simon M., Little Rock, Arkansas
Electric transportation champion and energy expert, Simon recently took an epic 1,600 mile road trip in his family's Tesla Model 3, Standard Range Plus. If you've ever wondered about how the Supercharger network works, his video spanning Arkansas, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Georgia is for you! And if you'd like to see more clean energy, utility planning, and transportation content from Simon, we encourage you to follow Simon on Twitter!
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