Decide the Future of Vehicle Charging Stations Across the Region

By the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG)

Regional transportation planning officials are inviting feedback on the Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy from April 13 to June 9. The draft strategy identifies recommended locations for new vehicle charging stations and unique challenges with zero emission infrastructure in six central coast counties between Ventura, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties.

The Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy will be discussed at an online community workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20. The public can join the zoom webinar at https://bit.ly/centralcoastzevs or visit www.centralcoastzevstrategy.com for more information. The workshop program will be presented in English with simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish.

“Santa Barbara County travelers have expressed a strong desire for improved zero-emission infrastructure in our communities, and we are pleased to offer them an opportunity to discuss this important issue,” said Maya Kulkarni, transportation planner for Santa Barbara County Association of Governments. “We are encouraging anyone interested in learning more about what we are prioritizing for zero emission infrastructure to participate in various online forums or face- to-face meetings over the next few months.”

California announced a requirement in August 2022 that all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the state must be electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids by 2035.

Insight drawn from over 7,000 visits to an online interactive mapping tool last Fall helped shape the central coast strategy.

Santa Barbara County saw a high volume of requests for charging infrastructure at shopping centers, recreation sites, and along the U.S. Highway 101. Participants noted that the lack of charging stations on U.S. Highway 101 Southbound and U.S. Highway 166.

The strategy was also informed by meaningful information gained from in-depth focus groups, designed to gain valuable feedback and ideas on how to move forward.

“It’s clear from the feedback we received in Santa Barbara County that workplace charging infrastructure is lagging behind demand, and this is an issue that needs to be addressed,” said Jenelle Osborne, chair of Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and Lompoc mayor “The absence of charging facilities in multi-family housing developments is also proving to be a significant obstacle for some drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles and highlights the need for investment in more charging solutions which are tailored specifically for these types of living environments.”

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, Association of Monterey Bay Governments, and San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, partnered to develop the Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy along with the counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey Santa Cruz, and San Benito in the California Central Coast. The strategy will be considered for approval by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors in July.

Central coast transportation planning officials are gearing up to take advantage of the strategy’s recommendations to seek public and private funding that will support the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the region to support the traveling public.

The public is invited to provide feedback and engage in a conversation about the draft strategy during three upcoming virtual and in-person meetings:

• Virtual Workshop at 6:30 p.m. on April 20 via Zoom Webinar at https://bit.ly/centralcoastzevs. The workshop program will be presented in English with simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish.

• Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors meeting at 10 a.m. on May 18 and July 20 in Santa Maria at the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria, CA 93455. Details on how to participate remotely in Santa Barbara and online will be published on the SBCAG Board of Directors agenda at least 48 hours prior to the meeting available at www.sbcag.org

Comments on the draft Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy can also be submitted in writing until 5 p.m. on Friday, June 9. Written comments can be submitted via U.S. Postal Service to 260 N. San Antonio Road, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93110; or electronically by emailing info@sbcag.org. The public can also add comments to the online interactive map, which can be accessed through the project website.

The public can visit www.centralcoastzevstrategy.com for further information and to view the draft strategy and access the online interactive map, all of which will be available by April 13.

 

SBCAG staff

Written by SBCAG staff

Press releases written by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG)

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101 Comments

  1. I always get downvoted for posting the amount of energy CA derives from fossil fuels, nuclear and other inconvenient truths. This data is for the entire year. Inside the numbers, there were days where solar and renewables dominated, particularly during the spring when sunshine dominates and it is warm enough not to need heat and cool enough not to need air conditioning . But for the total year, night, day cold hot and in between
    Nuclear 8.5%
    Natural gas 50.2%
    Coal 0.2%
    https://www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/energy-almanac/california-electricity-data/2021-total-system-electric-generation
    I disagree that paying extra for clean renewables on the coast means anything. That is simply moving the problem from SB County CA to Inland CA. Sorry, it does make people feel better about themselves. Think of it like helping obesity. If I give my ice cream scoop to someone else, that doesn’t reduce obesity, it makes me less obese, and while simultaneously increasing the obesity of the other person

    • The good thing is that most of our region is powered by 100% clean and renewable electricity through our local community choice organizations, including city of Santa Barbara through SB Clean Energy, and most of Ventura county through Clean Power Alliance. The rest of Santa Barbara county, and up through SLO and all the way to Santa Cruz is powered by Central Coast Community Energy, who are making fast progress of 60% renewables by 2025 and 100% by 2030, which is 15 years before California’s goal of 100% clean and renewable by 2045. They are signing new contracts for solar, wind, geothermal, and battery storage, so this is real new renewables.
      Also, many EVs get 120 mpg equivalent, which is much better than a gas car, so they would be even more efficient even if they were running on an all fossil fueled grid. They also have zero tailpipe emissions and don’t pollute in our urban environment, which is great for when we are walking or biking and cars are going by. BAS4241, instead of regurgitating fossil fuel company talking points, can you please do your research?

    • No, he’s not.
      Internal combustion engines are at most 40% efficient, so even if we’re so stupid as to keep generating electricity from fossil fuels, we can still deliver the energy more efficiently as electricity, albeit with some transmission losses and the inherent inefficiency of combustion.
      The smart path is electricity generated by sources that essentially free, like wind, geothermal, hydro, tidal, and solar. Storage for intermittent sources can be relatively simple gravitational and thermal batteries. And since the sources are free, efficiency of storage and delivery are less of an issue.

    • NUKE – totally missed the point. The thing that is not correct is this: ” EVs are still essentially running on oil and gas. Actually even less efficient than putting the fuel directly into the vehicle…”
      EVs are not “essentially” using oil and gas, nor are EVs less fuel efficient than ICE cars. Not sure what you’re looking at.

  2. I am sure all those SB workers, like the gardeners, housekeepers, elderly care CNA’s, restaurant staff, hotel staff, THAT ALL LIVE IN LOMPOC AND SANTA MARIA is so happy with The Man telling them to buy $60,000 high maintence electric vehicles while making min. wages and driving 120 miles RT daily to go to WORK (work not WOKE).

    • Basic–
      Now you’re going to try and layer in a bunch of details that don’t reflect what is likely really going on.
      “Hauling equipment” to SB. Every day? HAHAHAHAH!!!
      How many commuters do you think are hauling equipment.
      Beyond that, I have hauled very heavy stuff in my Model Y, can get as much in that vehicle as anyone driving a sedan.
      And oh commuting in a Prius sucks. Come on, man, commuting in almost anything sucks. And what are these working class commuters who can’t afford to buy a Tesla commuting in? Mercedes sedan? 80k Ford truck?
      Your point is just stupid no matter how much you try to backtrack off of it.
      And yeah you’re bitter and no I don’t think you’re coming up with 150k cash to buy vehicles today.

    • BasicInfo805: I think you bring up and have brought up a number of valid points on this subject and hope that you do not simply give up. Some of the silver-spoon elites here seem to only want to virtue signal their supposed superiority and boast their ability to afford things (EV vehicles) that the vast majority of folks cannot. Please do not buckle under their constant disdain and acute barrage of smugness using their bullying techniques. We’re all on this planet together, but some are hopelessly miserable and want to make others feel miserable as well. In my life-coaching sessions I make a point of making sure that those in attendance leave their insecurities at the door as they are entering into a sacred space where everyone is treated fairly….and with respect. Namaste to all on this wonderful and glorius day!

    • So then why don’t YOU think commuters aren’t in EV’s as much as you think they should be? What’s your opinion? How about they don’t have time to sit in a place like a Big5 or Costco parking lot for an hour before or after work? The people we see doing that are those that have plenty of time and money. So sure, go ahead and fill your Tesla up with plumbing supplies, painting stuff, landscaping tools, or whatever you want – I don’t see everyday workers doing that at all.
      I could too. Lots of us have money saved up.
      Not bitter, just trying to express my own opinion. Try it sometime, sans insults.

    • Hey, Basic, BTW, I will answer your question. And it will be a real answer even though the factual nature of it will be meaningless for someone so obviously driven by their political agenda as to be irrational.
      Commuters aren’t in EVS as much as I would like because:
      1. It’s a relatively new technology in the context of wide spreads use (yes I know there were electric cars over a century ago) and most people are nervous about adopting new things.
      2. Range anxiety is real–when you don’t understand what ownership on the day to day is really like.
      3. Pricing has been much higher than ICE cars.
      Answers:
      1. People are becoming very comfortable with the tech, surveys show this, that will change quickly over the next five years.
      2. Range and charging are getting better all the time and new battery technologies will improve that over the next decade. Also, people will see their friends having minimal issues with range.
      3. Pricing is coming down FAST and when people look at gas and repairs, the numbers are becoming very convincing.
      Don’t worry amigo, smarter people than you, or me, are figuring this stuff out very quickly.

    • You see plenty of EVs on the road if you pay attention, and there would be many more if there weren’t right-wing oily media FUDsters spreading lies about EVs to the uninformed public.
      I use my EV all the time to haul bulky equipment around town and into the adjoining counties. The rear seats are almost never up, and I have never had to spend an hour at a charge station, since I plan ahead and charge at home.

    • Basic, why do you make shit up every time you post?
      No one needs to charge at Costco for an hour if they are commuting 120 miles roundtrip per day in pretty much any recent or current generation EV out there. Another dumb and dishonest statement, i.e., typical MO.
      I comment with insults because I find dishonesty and lazy thinking offensive and frankly I know there is literally no fact that can change your mind–so I’m here for the LOLs.

    • Basic, no, sorry, you’re just wrong. You can lease a 2023 Prius for 2k down and 420 a month.
      An ICE Honda Accord will lease at 2k down and 405.00 a month.
      If you lease the Prius for 15.00 less, you will be ahead after the first couple weeks of your commute.
      You can lease a Bolt for 500.00 a month. If you are driving 600 miles a week at 35 mpg, at 17 gallons a week, at 5.00 a gallon, so 85.00 a week, 340.00 a month.
      You are doing much better financially with either a hybrid or EV if you re driving 600 miles a week.
      You literally just post crap without even thinking about it, it’s so lazy.

    • I get all those numbers. Hell I can buy 3 Teslas today. So lose that “bitter” name calling bs. What I’m saying is that I don’t believe the majority of folks who are workers commuting back and forth to SB are doing that. Try and haul any kind of equipment that does work here in SB in a Tesla – tools, pipe, concrete, tile, drywall….you get the idea.
      Don’t get pissed at me, I’m just trying to explain to you why we don’t live in your version of reality.
      Average joe/Jane commuter? Sure – maybe they can buy that Prius, assuming they WANT TO. Commuting hours in a Prius does suck, I can tell you from experience.

    • 3:04–valid and at the same time, one could make the argument that, if in fact the transition away from ICE vehicles is a net social and environmental benefit, early adopters are already subsidizing the transition through acquisition costs. If EVs are on balance 30 percent (just a ballpark) more money than a traditional vehicle, which may net out to more cost to the user than the gasoline taxes used for maintenance (haven’t looked at the numbers), then EV owners are already being “taxed” to facilitate the transition to cleaner transportation.

    • Not Basic, but I oppose public space being given over to private vehicles unless those E vehicle owners are charged equivalently to non-E vehicles owner for road usage and other public lands wear and tear. When the vast majority of vehicles are E-vehicles, as the state government wants, who will pay for road upkeep? Is this being done anywhere and, if so, how does it work? As it is, those of us with old or older low mpg vehicles, mostly low income people, pay disproportionately more for road upkeep and it is not fair.

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