Listen to an audio story by Annenberg Radio News:
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The Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf, the first all-electric vehicles to hit the market, went on sale this past December. The Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Department of Water and Power are invested in helping these cars catch on. Today, they launched Charge Up LA. It’s a rebate program that will give electric car owners up to $2,000 toward the installation and cost of their in-home charger.
Villaraigosa boasted that this was another great pilot program to add to LA’s green campaign.
“We’re, like, the only city doing this,” Villaraigosa said. “I’m telling you this is something that really sets LA apart. Again, it’s not a hyperbole. This will be a game changer, and we will be the electric vehicle capital.”
The cost of the home charger is too expensive for some — but the city hopes that the rebate combined with increasing gas prices will make the cars more attractive. The average gas price today in LA County is $4.21.
But it’s not just about savings for the consumer — it’s also about reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and improving air quality. Dr. Joseph Lyou is the CEO of the statewide Coalition for Clean Air.
“We are still challenged here in this air district with the worst air quality in the entire nation,” Lyou said.
There are other environmental benefits. Most people charge their cars at home at night — they can go about 90 miles until they need to recharge. Nighttime is also when the DWP is able to use the most renewable energy from wind power. It’s windier at night, sending more wind power into the grid.
Ron Nichols, the general manager of the DWP, calls electric cars an elegant solution.
“That’s a double win for the environment.”
The DWP plans to subsidize 1,000 chargers that will cost $2 million — and depending on demand to spend up to $6 million.
In most cases, the $2,000 rebate will pay for the entire cost of the charger and installation — in some cases it will be cheaper.
If you’re thinking about going electric, act fast — the rebate option starts on May 1 and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
