Make Missouri cities ready for the electric vehicle revolution, Opinion – Let Missouri cities plan for the electric vehicle revolution, if they choose to, by not including language that requires local governments to stay out of the way of residents or businesses trying to provide electric charging stations or related infrastructure. Opinions are like noses – everybody has one, and they’re usually right where you can see them. It’s the law in Missouri that everybody gets an opinion, even if it’s just their own opinion that they’re right and everyone else should agree with them because it’s their opinion.
The Problem
Currently, there are nearly 5.3 million people in Missouri who travel to work via car each day. Out of that number, only about 3 percent choose to take public transportation, compared with 4 percent nationwide. The Why behind these numbers is apparent: Public transportation is expensive and often inconvenient due to limited routes and stops that don’t sync well with how people live and work today. However, as a state, we have an opportunity to change all of that – but only if we act now. That’s why I have introduced Senate Bill 939 which would create pilot programs in five different municipalities across Missouri where residents could charge their vehicles at home, at work, or while shopping downtown or eating at local restaurants/cafes..
A Solution
State law keeps local officials from planning for electric vehicles, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Local governments need tools and resources to help make sure they are ready when the EV revolution arrives. This year, lawmakers should pass bills in both chambers to let local leaders do just that. These measures won’t cost a dime and can address issues from car charging stations to funding public infrastructure projects such as street repaving. Legislators should also pass legislation requiring all state agencies involved in transportation—including MoDOT—to have formal plans for how they will support local governments as those communities prepare for a major shift in driving habits.
Missouri Cities Can Lead the Way
Driving a gas-powered car is incredibly convenient, not to mention cost-effective. But in major U.S. metros, an increasing number of people are ready to ditch their internal combustion engine vehicles and commit fully to battery power. A new report suggests that major metropolitan areas may soon see a huge shift toward EVs: by 2030, close to 60 percent of vehicles sold in New York City could be electric—and so could almost half of all cars on Atlanta’s roads. As someone who lives in one of these urban centers and sees alternative energy becoming more accessible each day, I think it makes sense for cities like St. Louis and Kansas City to try to encourage EV adoption through planning efforts…
EV car advantages
With more and more electric cars being introduced into U.S. markets every year, we’re finally seeing a marked increase in infrastructure to support their existence. With a vast network of charging stations available, there’s never been a better time to hop aboard an EV and enjoy some of these advantages: In fact, you may be so confident in your new purchase that you don’t hesitate to ____ or even do things like the drive from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia overnight or drive across the country with your family for a holiday vacation—something that wouldn’t have been possible with gasoline-powered vehicles just ten years ago!
Times needs EV cars
Public charging stations are great, but what about when you’re at work? Does your office have chargers? If so, cool; if not, get in touch with your employer and lobby for them. And what about all those free electrons while you’re driving around town? Maybe you can convince a nearby municipality to install chargers. Missouri could become one of many states that have laws on its books that require state buildings and parking lots to install charging stations. The only problem is that most lawmakers don’t understand how quickly things are changing or how important EVs will be going forward. It’s time they change their thinking before it’s too late.
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