State and Local Government

While in 2023 Arizona ranked 10th in the country for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, it ranked 26th in the country for “policies aimed at encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles” according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).  It’s a surprising reality for a state that has a continuously poor “State of the Air” report issued by the American Lung Association, where counties frequently fail for particle pollution and high ozone (both of which are exacerbated by gas-powered cars). Asthma is an especially prevalent problem in highway-adjacent communities.  

Given there is currently no program on the state, city, or regulated utility level to help make homes ready for EV charging (only very minimal rebates available for the chargers themselves), a working group is needed to advocate and educate state and local government officials on the need for policies and incentives to help spur EV adoption throughout the state and especially where the health impacts of poor air quality are most prevalent.