California Embraces Electric Vehicles

The state has cornered the market on plug-in cars, with 45% of U.S. sales.

SACRAMENTO September 16, 2015; NACS Daily reported that California has become the leading state for electric cars, the Sacramento Bee reports. The Golden State generates 45% of U.S. sales of electric vehicles (nearly 150,000 sold since 2010), making it the world’s number-one plug-in-electric vehicle (PEV) market. Globally, sales of plug-in cars are on track to hit 1 million this month.

Lower sticker prices have coincided with the increased demand for the cars. For instance, the average sticker price of a new EV last year reached $32,618, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. But with federal and state incentives, that price tag drops even lower.

California has shown its willingness to invest in the infrastructure to entice more residents to drive PEVs, such as its network of more than 73,000 public charging stations. The state also provides PEV motorists with carpool lane access stickers and free parking and charging. Many utilities also provide discounts on electricity to EV owners.

Meanwhile, California is providing funds to complete the state’s part of the West Coast Electric Highway. This road runs from Canada to Mexico and provides EV drivers with plenty of opportunities to charge along the way.

For more insight on electric vehicle adoption, read “Charging Forward or Shorting Out” in NACS Magazine, or visit the Fuels Institute for research on EVs and other alternative vehicles.