FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2024
Contact:
Aeron Arlin Genet, Executive Director / Air Pollution Control Officer, (805) 979-8282
National Drive Electric Week – September 27 – October 6
Clean Air Day – October 2
Celebrate the Benefits of Going Electric and Take Steps to Clean Our Air!
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District), along with the Air Pollution Control Districts of San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties, Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (C5), County of Santa Barbara, Community Environmental Council (CEC), and Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) are excited to announce the rebrand of the Electric Drive 805 coalition, to “Electric Ride 805.” The rebrand supports the coalition’s mission of increasing awareness of all modes of electric transportation in addition to plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), including bikes, scooters, public transit, and more. Electric Ride 805 leads local efforts to increase accessibility and affordability of electric mobility options across the Central Coast region to protect local air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support California’s decarbonization goals.
Since its inception in 2011, Electric Ride 805 has brought millions of dollars in grant funding for regional EV planning and projects to communities in the 805 region. The coalition hosts large electric mobility shows that attract more than 40,000 people each year and educational workshops attended by local employers, property managers, and community groups to support an efficient and equitable transition to electric. Electric Ride 805 has worked with hundreds of local governments, businesses, multifamily properties, and other stakeholders to expand the Central Coast region’s charging infrastructure. The coalition’s efforts have helped make the 805 region an EV leader with over 3,000 Level 2 charging stations, nearly 700 DC fast charging stations, and over 53,000 zero-emission vehicles.
For more information about Electric Ride 805, visit: https://www.electricride805.org/.
To kick-start the rebrand, Electric Ride 805 is celebrating National Drive Electric Week, held on September 27 – October 6! National Drive Electric Week is an event to raise awareness of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. It’s also a great opportunity to see what financial incentives are available, including for low-to-moderate income households, as the State moves towards its goal of 100 percent of new cars and light-duty trucks sold in California being zero-emission vehicles, by 2035.
Electric Ride 805 and regional partners are hosting numerous free online and in-person events across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties that highlight the clean air, climate, and cost-savings benefits provided by driving an EV:
- Online Events:
- In-Person Events:
For more information about National Drive Electric Week events near you, visit the following link: https://driveelectricweek.org/.
And to drive home further the importance of individual actions, on Wednesday, October 2 is California Clean Air Day! This statewide event is created by Coalition for Clean Air, and locally the District is encouraging schools, businesses, and individuals to join us in taking the Clean Air Day Pledge and commit to simple everyday acts or larger long-term lifestyle changes to clean the air! There are several local California Clean Air Day events that highlight everyday actions towards cleaner air for everyone:
- Santa Barbara County:
- San Luis Obispo County:
- Ventura County:
For more information on California Clean Air Day and to take the Clean Air Pledge, visit: https://www.cleanairday.org/.
