Dow, J. (2017, March 07). Fossil Fuel industry push for new EV fees reaches California, yearly fee of $100-165 proposed. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from https://electrek.co/2017/03/07/fossil-fuel-industry-push-for-new-ev-fees-reaches-california-yearly-fee-of-100-165-proposed/

    California has been a long-time leader in technology and the environment, but now they may face an unavoidable obstacle.  The fossil fuel industry has pushed for new electric vehicle fees in California, ranging from $100-$165 per year.  Many people are unhappy due to the fact that those who drive less than those who drive more are being taxed at the same rate.  Those who drive more cause more damage to the roadways, and so these people should pay a higher fee.  On the other hand, those who rarely drive cause little damage to the roadways, and therefore should be fined less.

    Fines on electric vehicles are just another repellent for people to buy or own electric vehicles.  In a push for a cleaner Earth, there should be a path with little resistance by now to do help the cause.  We have the appropriate technology, but taxes like these and other factors are keeping people away from electric vehicles.  We shouldn’t be taxed at all for owning or purchasing electric vehicles.  If anything, we should be rewarded for helping our nation improve its overall health.

Lawson , T., & Tutt, E. W. (2017, March 02). In fighting climate change and oil dependence, California needs all its tools. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/soapbox/article136059388.html

    California needs to continue to curb greenhouse gas emissions while its economy grows.  The threat posed by climate change is massive, and it begs for us to take action.  California must use all its tools, and the 2030 Scoping Plan is expected to help the state with their carbon pollution issues.  This plan includes the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and cap-and-trade program.  This has the potential to create a low-carbon economic ecosystem.  

    California must utilize all of its tools to be successful in this fight against carbon emissions and climate change.  The cap-and-trade system along with the Low Carbon Fuel Standard appear to be the state’s most promising assets.  These two proposals work together and reinforce each other, making them a match made in heaven.  These two systems will help California move toward a low-carbon economy both faster and cheaper.  The state should continue to push forward and strengthen these programs in their fight against climate change.

Aldhous, P. (2017, March 07). California And Trump Are Set To Collide Over Electric Cars And Gas Guzzlers. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from https://www.buzzfeed.com/peteraldhous/trump-and-california-in-green-car-fight?utm_term=.rnXDkxBRv#.upj9rv85l

    President Donald Trump and the state of California are undertaking a debate of whether vehicle fuel efficiency standards are necessary.  Trump believes that these standards will cost the nation billions of dollars, and the money would be more useful elsewhere.  However, the state of California is determined to push forward in their effort to cut down on gas burning vehicles while increasing electric vehicles.  Current lower gas prices are not helping this matter for California.  Lower gas prices encourage those with gas-burning cars to drive more, and increase the demand for gas-burning cars overall.  This is an ongoing issue, and only time will tell of the effects this will have on California.

    It’s a shame how politics can get in the way of moving toward a greener Earth.  While California is making an effort to cut down on carbon pollution, Donald Trump is more concerned on other issues.  Funding can be tricky, however, this should be a priority for California.  Carbon emissions are the highest they have ever been.  We must take action now before it’s too late, and we cause future generations to suffer a polluted planet.

Tyler, L. (2017, February 16). California Energy Policy Report Promotes Clean Transportation. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from http://ngtnews.com/major-energy-policy-report-promotes-clean-transportation

    The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved a report regarding the state’s trends and issues of electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuel sectors.  Transportation accounted for an astounding 37% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2014.  The CEC strives to transition fuel-burning polluting vehicles to low or zero-emission vehicles.  They claim that this will be essential in reaching the state’s climate goals.  We need to cut down on fossil fuel usage now to mitigate the effects on our planet.

    We need to use available technology to upgrade our transportation in our society.  There are electric vehicles and buses, however a vast majority of vehicles run on fossil fuels.  Over time this fossil fuel pollution accumulates, and harms our planet and can also damage our health.  The only viable way to stop this issue is to cut down on producing the pollution in the first place.  With science on our side, we still have a fighting chance moving forward.

Hanley, S. (2017, February 09). California Utilities Propose Spending $1 Billion To Electrify Transportation Sector. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from https://cleantechnica.com/2017/02/09/california-utilities-propose-spending-1-billion-electrify-transportation-sector/

    California is making an effort to remove as many diesel powered vehicles from the roads as possible.  The state government is focusing on medium and heavy-duty vehicles, like trucks and buses.  They will focus on replacing the dependence on fossil fuels and oil as a transportation fuel source with electricity.  The funding for these protocols will come from surcharges on utility bills.  The money will be used to create an electrical charging infrastructure in several industries.

    Reducing the dependence on oil will improve air quality, and cut down on carbon pollution, among other benefits.  It is great to see California addressing its pollution issues at their source.  Every day our planet accumulates more and more pollution, and we as humans need to do something about it.  We are still very behind in this self-inflicted battle, but this is a step in the right direction.  Electric transportation shows promise for our future.

Johnson, T. (2016, October 25). NJ Must Reduce Global-Warming Pollution in Transportation Sector – NJ Spotlight. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/10/24/nj-must-reduce-global-warming-pollution-in-transportation-sector/

Transportation accounts for a whopping 53% of New Jersey’s global-warming emissions.  New Jersey is pushing to transition from gas-powered transportation to be mainly electric-powered.  New Jersey feels as if they are behind other states in the US on the electric vehicle movement.  They also encourage residents to bike, walk, or take public transportation to cut down on pollution.  They claim that they have the solutions, and now they have to put the necessary policies in place.  

Because transportation accounts for over half of New Jersey’s net global-warming emissions, it is essential that the state find a solution.  This shows how a simple change like driving an electric car over a gas-powered car can make a massive difference in the long-term.  I think that the amount of cars in every state or region should be regulated, as well as the amount of emissions emitted from each individual vehicle.  Biking or walking are also great alternatives, and they are better for the Earth, as well as our bodies.  We should strive to practice healthy habits to live longer lives, and so generations to come have a world worth living in.

Monks, K. (2016, September 12). Can London mayor’s car ban solve air crisis? Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/12/world/sadiq-khan-london-pollution/index.html

Oxford Street is one of the most popular attractions in London.  It is estimated that around four million people visit Oxford Street every week, and it is one of the dirtiest streets in London.  The air is highly polluted due to taxis, cars, and double-decker buses with high-polluting diesel engines.  London’s filthy air kills about 10,000 people annually.  London’s government plans to reduce pollution by making major steps like cutting the amount of buses on Oxford Street by over 40%.

This environmental crisis in London is very concerning and it should make other cities and countries aware that they could face this same issue.  Air quality is often an external cost and it is overlooked, as other factors seem to take priority.  Air quality is killing people in London and all over the world.  The root of London’s issues is clearly transportation of buses and cars.  We need to find a more sustainable solution before our whole planet becomes polluted with fossil fuel emissions.

Kaur, H. (2016, November 07). New Delhi schools closed because of smog. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/06/world/new-delhi-air-pollution-school-closures/index.html

Due to heavy smog in New Delhi, schools were closed for a three day period.  Construction and demolition work were prohibited for five days, and the government is considering to put a system in place to reduce the amount of cars on the road.  The air quality index of New Delhi was measured at 999, a level considered hazardous.  This smog and pollution can primarily be attributed to the burning of fossil fuels, transportation emissions, and farmers burning their crops.

It is very alarming that schools had to be closed down over a course of days due to environmental hazards.  The heavy smog in the air is unsurprisingly attributed to the burning of fossil fuels.  A major factor in New Delhi that is contributing to their air quality issues is the large amount of emissions being released from transportation, mainly cars.  If New Delhi does not cut down on the amount of the cars on the road, or find another sustainable solution, like electric cars, they will experience more severe issues and a higher mortality rate linked to air quality.

Monks, K. (2016, October 20). ‘Olli’ bus races ahead of Uber and Google. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/20/world/ollis-electric-bus/index.html

Although self-driving cars are not predicted to reach the general public until next decade, it is projected that there will be self-driving buses transporting people in the US and eventually all over the world within a year.  “Olli” is an electric shuttle bus that is planned to initially transport those in airports and private companies.  However, Olli is expected to transport the general public by next year.  Olli uses the same technology that Google’s self-driving cars use to read the road.  Olli is also designed to be an interactive experience, as it talks to its passengers.

Self-driving vehicles have always been a controversial topic and never released to the general public.  However, self-driving interactive electric buses will not only be a more thrilling way to get around, but also more environmentally friendly.  The fact that these buses will be released in a year is a great sign of our potential in the future in terms of technology.  Electric vehicles, like buses, replace traditional diesel engines with electric batteries, which help cut down on fossil fuel usage and overall pollution.  

Knight, M., Blendis, S., & Cuadrado, P. S. (2016, September 10). Formula E: The ‘laboratory’ for tomorrow’s urban transport. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.knowledgedynasty.info/formula-e-the-laboratory-for-tomorrows-urban-transport/

Although slower than Formula One racecars, Formula E racecars are much more environmentally friendly because they are all electric.  The first Formula E race took place in October in Hong Kong.  One of the goals of having all electric race cars is to set the stage for the future where Formula E hopes that our world will have all electric vehicles on the road.  Races in the future are planned to be held in exotic locations all around the world.

Having an electrically-powered race division is a great way to cut down on emissions released by gas-powered cars.  This is an important step in the right direction in terms of our future technology and transportation.  Formula E has the power to influence other companies to follow in their footsteps, as well as intrigue people to buy electric cars.  Every day we strive to move away from fossil fuel usage and pollution, and move toward electric cars and sustainability.