New Report Shows Electric Vehicles Ready to Roll in Pennsylvania

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PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center

Philadelphia, PA—With the right policies in place, plug-in vehicles can reduce oil dependence in Pennsylvania by 3,729,012 gallons per year, according to a new report released today by PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center.

“It’s time to plug in, power up, and protect our planet because plug-in vehicles have arrived here in Pennsylvania,” said Adam Garber, Field Director at PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center.

According to the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center report, Charging Forward: The Emergence of Electric Vehicles and Their Role in Reducing Oil Consumption, Pennsylvania drivers will purchase, 15,886 plug-in vehicles by 2015..Overall, these vehicles will reduce Pennsylvania’s global warming pollution by 19,584 metric tons per year. If the plug-in vehicles are powered by clean sources of electricity, these savings will rise to 66,553 metric tons per year.

“For decades, owning a car has meant consuming oil. Today, drivers finally have a choice,” continued Garber. “Thanks in part to smart policies in Pennsylvania and from the Obama administration, every major automobile manufacturer is offering a new plug-in vehicle powered primarily by electricity. For the first time, we can power our cars with clean energy.”

In Washington, President Obama has proposed fuel efficiency standards that PennEnvironment credits as being the most important step ever taken to build clean, advanced technology cars that will get us off oil. His administration has also made investments in critical technologies, such as advanced batteries and high powered charging stations.

“The future of transportation is electric cars,” said Norm Zarwin of U-Go Stations, a company that installs electric vehicle charging stations. “U-Go seeks to fuel the alternate energy revolution by providing readily available charging stations throughout the city of Philadelphia, across the country, and internationally, making owning an electric vehicle feasible for Pennsylvania residents”

In the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Clean Cars program has helped ensure that Pennsylvania drivers continue to have a choice between vehicles powered by oil and advanced, high-tech vehicles powered by clean energy. This year, the state will have an opportunity to build on this critical program by adopting new rules that will help us build over 1.4 million electric vehicles by 2025.

 “As we strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in Philadelphia, electric vehicles represent a new option and opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of driving,” said Katherine Gajewski, Director of the Office of Sustainability in Philadelphia.

The PennEnvironment report shows the impressive technological breakthroughs that have helped move plug-in vehicles into the fast lane, from advanced batteries that have dropped in price by over 80 percent, to super-fast charging stations that have reduced charge times by over 90 percent.

“Everyone at Nissan of Devon is proud to be representing such an innovative auto-maker that values giving consumers choices that fit their life style,” said Joe Spadaro, Owner of Nissan of Devon. “In the Nissan Leaf you will find an attractive, high tech, affordable 100% electric motor vehicle that is roomy, stylish and fun to drive.”

 To make plug-in vehicles a choice for more consumers, PennEnvironment’s report calls for more work to be done to build the infrastructure of the charging stations that can service these vehicles, as well as more investment in the technologies that will drive down prices. PennEnvironment also called on state and federal leaders to help plug-in vehicles achieve the greatest possible pollution reductions by adopting policies that will ensure we get more of our electricity from clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.

“Electric vehicles offer all Americans hope for a cleaner, healthier future. But to make this promise a reality, continued public investment will be necessary to ensure that these vehicles are as convenient and as affordable as cars powered by oil,” concluded Garber.

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