Twenty-five brightly colored cars are hitting the streets in Sacramento, Calif., as part of a campaign to raise awareness of driving electric vehicles (EVs).
The new initiative is supported by the statewide Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), a program sponsored by the California Air Resources Board and administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy (CES). The state’s goal is to have 5 million electric cars by 2030. Currently, more than 10,000 EVs are on the roads in Sacramento County, according to CES.
“Drivers may not realize the cars they see every day are electric vehicles,” says Jonathan Changus, CVRP program manager at CES. “We want Sacramento drivers to know that more models and makes of electric vehicles are available than they might think and that they are more affordable than they may realize.”
Sacramento drivers will see the decorative EVs on the roads for the next three months. The cars are wrapped in a design created by Sacramento native and abstract artist Micah Crandall-Bear.
“This project is deeply personal to me, as most of my inspiration comes from time I spend in nature,” says Crandall-Bear. “This is a chance for my work to directly impact the awareness of climate change and the importance of reducing carbon emissions.”
CVRP offers rebates of up to $5,000 per EV, or up to $7,000 for residents with low to moderate incomes. Various utility, local government, state and federal incentives also are available for EVs and charging equipment.
Attendees at the Sacramento Auto Show on Oct. 18-20 will also have an opportunity to see one of the CVRP wrapped vehicles and receive information on EVs.
