Comment Log Display

Dear Madame Chair and Members of the Board,

I am an EV driver who is writing to you today to express support
for Electrify America's Cycle 4 ZEV Investment Plan. I am Coalition
and Project Senior manager at the 501(c)3 organization Acterra:
Action for a Healthy Planet, based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Our mission is to bring people together to create local solutions
for a healthy planet. My organization, Acterra, has partnered with
Electrify America for years, most recently with another educational
organization, Ignited, to implement STEM-related programming for
students and provide outreach and education about EVs.

I ask the Air Resources Board to approve the Electrify America
Cycle 4 ZEV Investment Plan, which proposes important investments
in California to support widespread adoption of zero emission
vehicles through the deployment of public EV charging
infrastructure. 

The Plan outlines $200 million in investments in California,
starting in 2024, that tackle some of our biggest challenges in the
state: expanding the total number of reliable chargers in more
areas, and the imperative of ensuring all Californians can
participate equitably in the transition to ZEVs. I draw your
attention in particular to these aspects:

First, we know demand is rising as adoption is spreading. Electrify
America's plan proposes new stations with more chargers, where
possible, to address this growing demand.  

Second, the plan proposes a campaign to upgrade chargers that are
underperforming or have reached the end of their useful life.

And third, what is extremely important to us as an organization
committed to a just and equitable transition to a clean energy
society: The plan continues much-needed support for education and
outreach for underserved communities, including by sponsoring ZEV
education, STEM programing and workforce development training.

These investments are very important to Acterra because we need to
lower the barriers to residents in underserved communities knowing
about, and trusting, that EVs are a workable solution for their
needs. As we switch away from fossil fuels, we are appreciative
that this plan invests dollars in supporting education, outreach,
and training on EVs and electrification so a wider audience can
reap the benefits of this vital technology. 

For these reasons, and on behalf of Acterra, I request CARB's
approval of the Electrify America Cycle 4 ZEV Investment Plan.
Thank you.


Sincerely,
Wendy Chou, Ph.D.
Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet