I am firmly committed to doing my part to preserve this planet for my kids and grandkids. The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project was a central part of that and is part of the reason I am able to do what I can. This program (along with the federal program and other similar energy programs) mean that I am close to carbon neutral for my home and travel. About 95% of my driving is in an electric vehicle. That part is both satisfying and downright fun. The performance of an electric vehicle is astonishing compared to a gasoline vehicle. The additional benefit is the actual cost to drive. My previous vehicles (hybrids) cost about 10 cents per mile just for gasoline (plus the costs for tune-ups, smog checks, oil changes and so on) while the Bolt costs about 2 cents if I were to pay for the electricity. I actually drive essentially for free, since I charge my Bolt using solar panels on my roof!

It gets better. Typical gasoline powered cars require physical braking just to slow down. Since an electric car uses the drive train as a generator to send that energy back to the battery (instead of braking), brakes on my electric cars show minimal wear after 100,000 miles! Tires are much the same – 96,000 miles on one set of tires (replaced due to a puncture – not wear).

Did I mention HOV lanes and stickers? Imagine a 115-mile roundtrip commute every day, through one of the most congested freeways in the country. I save at least 30 minutes on my commute every single day because my car has those HOV stickers. And I cross a bridge with a toll (every day). The toll is usually $5, but my sticker (and a free FasTrak device) allows me to use the HOV lane and pay only $2.50!

The difference it makes in my life is immeasurable – less time, lower costs, more fun. Driving an electric car makes me smile – makes me proud.