Volty by Energy Road

1. The city is in an affordability crisis. The cost of living in CA is high. The rising cost of conventional fuels and electricity are a major pocketbook issue for all CA consumers (Sunpower, 2022). Currently there are no affordable renewable energy technologies in the market that provide immediate financial relief from high electricity bills because of their high capital costs. Therefore, those with higher income at about $115k/year (in 2020) with a median of $63k/year are more likely to obtain a renewable energy technology that lowers bills, while the disadvantaged neighborhoods that need it most do not. The savings from using a renewable energy technology can be invested elsewhere by households and businesses.

The city is facing an affordability crisis due to the high cost of living in CA. Consumers are struggling with the increasing prices of conventional fuels and electricity. Currently, there are no affordable renewable energy technologies available in the market to provide immediate financial relief from high electricity bills because of their high capital costs. As a result, individuals with higher incomes, around $115k/year (in 2020), and a median income of $63k/year are more likely to be able to afford renewable energy technologies that reduce their bills, while disadvantaged neighborhoods are unable to access them. The savings from using renewable energy technologies could be used for other purposes by households and businesses.

Transportation is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California and a major contributor to climate change. Traffic makes up 41% to 50% of California’s greenhouse gas pollution, mainly from emissions coming out of car and truck tailpipes (Driving California’s Transportation Emissions to Zero (escholarship.org)). That’s why it’s important for cars and trucks to directly provide clean energy to the electric grid.

Health. Gas emissions from burning fossil fuels harm human health. The most damaging pollutants from California’s current transportation system are particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide compounds (NOx). High PM concentrations can cause lung and cardiovascular damage. As we shift to electric cars in the future, there will be higher demand for electricity, but this is expected to significantly reduce emissions and improve local air quality. However, it’s important to decarbonize and support the State’s electric grid to ensure these benefits (Driving California’s Transportation Emissions to Zero (escholarship.org)).

To reach State climate goals. In 2018, Governor Jerry Brown issued executive order B-55-18, which sets a goal for California to be decarbonized by 2045. Data from the California Energy Commission (2022) shows that in 2021, 49 percent of the State’s electricity generation came from renewables, such as solar and wind, and zero-carbon sources, compared to 51 percent in 2020. Achieving a carbon neutral society will require significant shifts in the state’s economy, including electric generation, buildings, industry, land use and agriculture, and transportation (Driving California’s Transportation Emissions to Zero (escholarship.org)). Specifically, in regard to electric generation, CA seeks low-cost renewable technologies that can contribute power to the grid during peak hours, at night, and during drought. Energy-efficient solutions that overcome the intermittency challenges associated with current renewable energy production are in current demand for better grid security and reliability (CA-DOT, 2022; NPR, 2022). Solar and wind only generate electricity about 10–30% of the time during most of the year, and hydropower is limited by drought. Therefore, the gaps must be filled in – often by burning expensive fossil fuels, especially when the demand is high.

California is often at risk of power outages because of the electricity grid. Power outages happen when there’s too much demand for electricity, especially during hot weather, and when the grid is in danger during fire season. So, to achieve energy independence and security, new renewable energy technologies are necessary.

1. To reach State climate goals. In 2018 then-Governor Jerry Brown issued executive order B-55-18, which sets a goal for California to be decarbonized by 2045. This is the most recently adopted and most ambitious statewide goal. Data from the California Energy Commission (2022) shows that in 2021, 49 percent of the of the State’s electricity generation came from renewables (e.g., solar: 14.2% of total power generation) and wind (11.4% of total power generation), and zero-carbon sources (e.g., energy from large hydroelectric generation and nuclear) compared to 51 percent in 2020 (with solar producing 13.23% percent of total power generation and wind at 11.13 percent) (California Energy Commission, 2022). Achieving a carbon neutral society will require significant shifts in every aspect of the state’s economy, including electric generation, buildings, industry, land use and agriculture, and transportation (Brown et al., 2021).

1. The city is in an affordability crisis. The cost of living in CA is high. The rising cost of conventional fuels and electricity are a major pocketbook issue for all CA consumers (Sunpower, 2022). Currently there are no affordable renewable energy technologies in the market that provide immediate financial relief from high electricity bills because of their high capital costs. Therefore, those with higher income at about $115k/year (in 2020) with a median of $63k/year are more likely to obtain a renewable energy technology that lowers bills, while the disadvantaged neighborhoods that need it most do not. The savings from using a renewable energy technology can be invested elsewhere by households and businesses.

2. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California and is a major cause of climate change. Transportation comprises 41% to 50% of CA greenhouse gas pollution (Brown et al., 2021), mostly from tailpipe emissions from cars and trucks. Therefore, cars and trucks should give clean energy directly back to the electric grid.
3. Health: Gas emissions from burning fossil fuels directly harms human health. The most damaging pollutants from California’s current transportation system are particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide compounds (NOx). High PM concentrations lead to lung and cardiovascular damage (Brown et al., 2021). Although higher electric demand is in the future as we turn to electric cars, which is expected to dramatically reduce emissions and improve local air pollution, the State’s electric grid must also be decarbonized and supported (Brown et al., 2021).       

1. Living in California is expensive, and high electricity bills burden everyone. Renewable energy technologies are too costly for most people, so only wealthier individuals can afford them, leaving disadvantaged communities without potential savings.
2. Cars and trucks are the biggest source of pollution in California, harming the environment. We should aim for them to produce clean energy for the electric grid.
3. Fossil fuel emissions harm people’s health, leading to lung and heart problems. While using electric cars can reduce pollution, the electricity they require must also be clean.
4. California aims to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2045, which calls for significant changes in electricity production and land, building, and transportation usage. We need affordable renewable energy technology that operates consistently, regardless of the weather.
5. California frequently experiences power outages, highlighting the need for new renewable energy technology to prevent such occurrences.
6. Renewable energy is derived from constantly replenished sources like solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydroelectric power. Additionally, vehicle traffic represents an often overlooked and abundant source of renewable energy.