Electricity generation has diversified to include more low- and zero-emissions sources, with 51 percent of our region’s energy coming from nuclear power and four percent coming from wind and solar.{{U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Annual Energy Outlook 2017,” 2017, http://cmap.is/2snwnMk.}} However, the transportation sector still depends primarily on fossil fuel consumption and emissions. In addition to decreasing vehicle miles traveled, as discussed in the Mobility chapter, alternative energy and emissions reduction technology are critical to reducing emissions. Due to increasingly stringent fuel economy standards, vehicles that use conventional gasoline will become more efficient, and more than a quarter of cars and light duty trucks could be powered by electricity and other alternative fuels by 2050.{{Ibid}} Passenger cars are most likely to be electrified, with a dramatic increase in plug-in and hybrid electric vehicle market share projected by 2050. Transit agencies and local governments are investing in electric vehicles and replacing their fleet with more energy efficient vehicles. Fuel savings from these investments could continue to increase, especially if gas prices rise or carbon fee and dividend proposals are implemented. Improved charging infrastructure is needed to increase adoption rates of electric vehicles. Incentivizing the installation of fast chargers into multi-unit housing developments and near-term investments in publicly available wireless charging stations or electrified roadways can help extend operable ranges of electric vehicles. Expansion of public transit and transit oriented development remains critical to reducing emissions; see the Make transit more competitive recommendation in the Mobility chapter.

Action 1

Continue to fund fleet replacement, such as electric buses and charging stations, through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.

Implementers

CMAP

Action 2

Adopt electric vehicles and other innovative emission reduction technologies and plan for integration of solar and charging stations into new projects.

Implementers

Transportation agencies

Action 3

Review development ordinances to identify ways to promote electric vehicle infrastructure in the transportation system.

Implementers

Local governments