Of course, our goal in Fairfax is 100% by 2030; suggesting that we probably need to be even more aggressive in finding ways to help our people. Frankly, it makes sense that we need a faster adoption curve here, because the real laggards are in countries with few resources, and our doing better will help to continue to drive prices down for everyone. HERE.
The good news for us is that the pace of adoption for 2- and 4-wheel passenger vehicles is faster than that for commercial and industrial vehicles. And, in Fairfax, we have far more of the former than the latter.
There are many things that BIG governments, like countries and states need to do, that we just cannot do in our Town. But, there are critical things that we can, and should, do.
First, the Town needs to walk the talk. The CAC is beginning work to collaborate with the Town Staff to assess our vehicle needs, and to build a plan to decarbonize by the end of the decade. San Anselmo is currently pondering an ordinance to adopt an ordinance to this effect.
Second, we will continue to seek out sources of funding to help the people here to find ways to economically transition to EVs, when our cars need to be replaced.
Finally, we need to find ways to make charging stations more accessible to people, especially to people with lower incomes. Unfortunately, the ARPA funds that the Town has been given cannot be used for this purpose, so we will have to look elsewhere. Again, the good news is that both the state and the Federal governments are paying increasing attention to the issue, developing policies that will both help Towns like us, and further driving down the cost of these vehicles.
EVs are already less expensive, on a life-cycle basis, than gas-powered cars. The problem is affording the up-front costs.
We will continue to help the Town look for ways to Walk the Talk, and to help all of us make our next car, an EV.
Thank you for doing your part; together, we can do this.