By Luis Amezcua
On February 7th, Oakland adopted electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure requirements that exceed even the State’s green building standards. Oakland’s action on EV infrastructure took the form of updates to the municipal code. It specifically requires an increase in the number of plug-in-ready parking spaces in new commercial and multi-family residential buildings. This requirement will increase equitable access to EVs, as many people who reside in multi-family buildings—especially low-income residents and families—are unable to take advantage of California’s financial incentives for buying EVs due to the lack of EV infrastructure in their homes.
EVs, which require no gasoline and emit no pollution from their tailpipes, present a critical opportunity to slash pollution, reduce our dependence on oil, and create American jobs. Improving Oakland’s EV infrastructure is a step toward tackling Oakland’s greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and gaining energy independence.
Oakland is well positioned to make the most of investments in EV infrastructure. As a member of the newly established public utility East Bay Community Energy, the city will soon benefit from an ambitious shift to cleaner sources of electricity. Over time, as ratepayer funds are invested in local renewable resources like solar arrays and wind farms, more and more of the energy powering Oakland’s EVs will be clean and locally generated.
EV infrastructure investments also return in the form of public health improvements. Since EVs have little to no conventional tailpipe emissions, they can be a crucial part of reducing air pollution that is linked to asthma, heart attacks, and other health complications.
The Oakland City Council passed the EV municipal code upgrade unanimously, with one absence. Thank your councilmember for taking climate leadership! Find your representative’s contact information and send them a note of appreciation.
