Survey says: Charge, incentivize, educate!
Oregon EV drivers speak their minds — and hearts — about legislation and policy
BY Al LePage: Vice-President, Emerald Valley Electric Vehicle Association
What I did on my 'summer vacation' last year was ask myself, given I wasn't going on vacation, what could I do?
My answer? Spend some time learning about what electric vehicle (EV) drivers in my home state of Oregon actually think, and gathering any compelling ideas these folks may have to advance the EV agenda.
With that in mind, I created a quick survey and reached out to my own chapter of the Electric Auto Association (EAA), as well as the other two chapters in our state, the Oregon Electric Auto Association and the Southern Oregon Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Association.
I reported the results of my survey in Promoting Electric Vehicles in Oregon.
I invite you to review the article and perhaps to look at the raw survey data provided at the end where it is clear that ‘first place’ in the survey went to the call for enhanced charging infrastructure.
Some highlights of the responses are as follows:
Driver challenges:
Low range
Lack of inclusive access
Limits to changing infrastructure
Oregon rebates: `
Too complex and time inefficient in reimbursing buyers
Need for more education to increase rebate awareness
Incentive proposals
Give rebates/tax credits for installation of EV supply equipment at businesses and multifamily residences
Develop long-term strategy for initiatives based on research
Enhance awareness of incentives through outreach and education
Incentivize companies that install charging stations
Legislative Ideas
Give cash rebates for EVs
Require chargers in parking lots with over 100 spaces
Impose state limit on commercial charging rates
Require renewable power generation for all building permits
Allow utilities to invest in charging infrastructure at multifamily housing
Mandate that city and state agencies transition to electric fleets
Lower registration fees for EVs
Encourage legislators to commute in non-polluting vehicles and to make it known to their constituents
Policy Ideas
Develop mandates to enhance EV adoption
Develop policy to enhance charging
Develop disincentives for driving fossil fuel vehicles
Improve the overall dealership experience
Establish public charging stations at freeway turnouts to be supplied by nearby wind turbines and/or solar panel banks
Allow public charging stations to accept Visa, AmEx, etc…
Designate ‘hybrid-only’ pumps with reduced state gas tax at gas stations
Final comments
Overall need for better education/awareness outreach
Expression of 'love and gratitude’ for electric vehicles
Not bad for a summer vacation, huh? So my question to each and every EAA chapter out there is simply this: “What are you going to do on YOUR summer vacation this year?” Answer is… encouraging your chapter—and perhaps involving all of your state’s chapters—to simply suggest and support legislation that will help us all charge ahead to a future where everyone can ‘Drive Electric!'