Social Innovation: First California Electric Vehicle Survey Shows Benefits

The California Centre for Sustainable Energy, with the California Air Resources Board, has conducted the largest social innovation plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) owner survey in the state's history. Recording date from more than 2,500 Californian PEV owners, the results have been released. The survey shows that nine out of ten owners said these vehicles represent their primary car though almost all had a second, conventional car. The results reflect new strides toward greater adoption of zero-emission personal vehicles; owners drive their cars an average of 26 miles per day and charge their vehicles primarily at night. This type of data is invaluable to the American auto industry and government policy in further developing the market and infrastructure for electric vehicles.

This survey highlights the state's commitment to promoting clean transportation solutions that improve urban air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offer its consumers viable alternatives to conventional gas vehicles. California is firmly establishing itself as a national and worldwide leader in social innovation and zero-emission automotive transportation. Californians own more than 12,000 PEVs, roughly 35% of all such vehicles in the U.S. Moreover, since July 2012, approximately 1,000 new PEVs are being sold in the state every month.

These vehicles are reducing California's demand for oil and have become a key component of the state's goals for greening its car fleet. It recently set a goal of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles (electric and hydrogen-powered) by 2025. Mike Ferry, transportation programs manager for the Energy Centre, says, "These aren't hobby cars, these aren't weekend cars. They are everyday use cars."

Click here to continue reading and comment

Sangeeta Haindl is a staff writer for Justmeans on Social Enterprise. When not writing for Justmeans, Sangeeta wears her other hat as a PR professional. Over the years, she has worked with high-profile organizations within the public, not-for-profit and corporate sectors; and won awards from her industry. She now runs her own UK consultancy: Serendipity PR & Media.