California Needs to Expand the Grid for EV-Only Sales Target in 2035: WSJ

Countries, states, and counties worldwide are looking to figure out how to incentivize their constituents into buying electric vehicles (EV), and California has announced its own bold attempt at doing just that.

However, according to Wall Street Journal’s Russell Gold, the move is going to take a significant rehaul of the state’s electric grid, especially among historic fires and a general lack of supply in electricity

With Canada’s EV rebate program as one example of incentive programs, we’re seeing that government parties will require a number of different approaches to see a permanent transition to EVs come to fruition.

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While critics and onlookers may question the notion, officials also hope the announcement forces the hand of electricity management companies like PG&E into rapidly improving the state’s electricity infrastructure.

At the signing of AB 2127, a bill with the goal of putting 5 million zero-emissions vehicles on the road by 2030, California Governor Gavin Newsom told the press, “Whether we travel by car, bus, or boat the need to move to zero-emission transportation is urgent.” He continued, “These bills will help get more clean cars on the road and reduce harmful emissions.”

By 2035, California says it will ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars in the state.

Despite criticism, the attempt is a noble and necessary one, and solving the electric grid supply problem in California will be key to the success of the initiative.

While the world’s leaders certainly have their work against climate change cut out for them, leaders that are willing to make and set goals for their states will not only benefit their own constituents, but they’ll also help reset an important precedent for other places in a world on the cusp of climate disaster.