Electric car sharing program rolls out in L.A.

Courtesy Sen. Kevin de León's office

Courtesy Sen. Kevin de León’s office

As many as 7,000 low-income Los Angeles residents could eventually take part in a state-funded electric car sharing program that rolled out last week.

State and city officials celebrated the soft launch of the endeavor — which aims to improve air quality by cutting carbon emissions — at an L.A. affordable housing complex.

City officials hope to establish as many as 100 vehicles as part of the pilot program, which the state is partially funding through a $1.6 million award. The city expects to use an additional $8 million “in in-kind city resources and private operator investment in equipment and operations,” according to L.A.’s  Sustainable City plan.

The state money comes from California’s controversial cap-and-trade program, designed to curb the state’s reliance on fossil fuels. Critics call it a pollution tax that unfairly burdens large industries.

State Senate leader Kevin de León speaks at roll out of electric car sharing program in L.A. Photo courtesy de León's office.

State Senate leader Kevin de León speaks at roll out of electric car sharing program in L.A.
Photo courtesy de León’s office.

“Fighting smog and climate change so that our kids can breathe clean air requires more transportation options that don’t rely on dirty fossil fuels,” state Senate leader Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, said in a press release. “This electric car-sharing pilot project offers a glimpse of the future, and represents the type of shift in policy, infrastructure, and behavior that we need.”

Officials say the project will educate residents about car sharing and transportation alternatives, install electric vehicle charging stations and introduce an electric car sharing fleet.

Specifically, it will “provide affordable last mile/first mile solutions for low-income families and other residents who do not own a car or need a second car for trips requiring a light duty passenger vehicle,” according to L.A.’s  Sustainable City plan.

“Our EV car sharing pilot is a perfect example of how our state’s cap-and-trade dollars should be put to work: providing transportation options for Angelenos in need, and helping us achieve our clean air goals outlined in my Sustainable City plan,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti added in the news release.

The program is formally called the Car Sharing and Mobility Options in Disadvantaged Communities Pilot Project. It is run by the California Air Resources Board, and originated last year after the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown signed two of de León bills, SB1275 and SB535, according to the Senate leader’s office. Those laws direct CARB to invest the state’s cap-and-trade revenue into programs that bring clean air and jobs to communities heavily impacted by climate change and poor environmental quality.

Contact reporter Chris Nichols at [email protected] or on Twitter @ChrisTheJourno

3 comments

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  1. Dude
    Dude 29 July, 2015, 14:12

    So, let me see if I have this straight…..
    1). We provide income via welfare
    2). We give them K thru 12 education
    3). We give them our kids scholarships
    4). We give them cheap or free housing
    5). We give them free medical care
    6). And now we give them free cars
    * And the liberals call us names when we get angry when one of these illegals kills one of our daughters.

    Reply this comment
  2. desmond
    desmond 29 July, 2015, 18:15

    The new world.
    If Reagan is judged as the great communicator, Obama is the Great Defecator…everything he touches turns to poopoo.

    Reply this comment
  3. Queeg
    Queeg 29 July, 2015, 18:25

    How far we fell….in middle 1960’s most families were supported by one worker, autos and homes were affordable, jobs with full benefits the norm.

    Not uncommon to send out ten resumes in mail and get four responses…..good jobs where everywhere.

    It’s laughable how ravaged Melienneals are…..educated to the hilt, student debt, few moving up the ladder in their work, if they are working.

    Now the sharing economy for the poor. No hope of private ownership.

    Reply this comment

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