2024-2025 Group 1 - 1st Place Essay by Neoli Sarkar

According to Bay Area Economy, “If California’s level of greenhouse gas emissions continues on its current trajectory, by 2050 over five billion additional metric tons of carbon dioxide will be emitted—the emissions equivalent of 57 million passenger vehicle trips to the moon.” When fossil fuels are burned, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide in the air, overdoing the natural greenhouse effect, causing a drastic increase in the global temperature. This can lead to frequent wildfires, long periods of droughts, and many more disasters. To fix this issue, transit agencies are slowly shifting towards the goal of achieving all-electric vehicles. Electric vehicles can help improve fuel economy, lower fuel costs, and reduce emissions (U.S. Department of Energy).

Funding—How can transit agencies raise enough money to achieve this goal?
In order to raise enough money, transit agencies may receive grants from U.S. governments, state, and local funds, and may benefit from carbon credit to electrify their fleets. Partnering with electric vehicle manufactures (ex: Tesla, Hyundai) could offer a seamless approach for managing and selling their vehicles. They could seek funds from corporate sponsorships, such as private tech/electric vehicle companies that may be willing to sponsor them, public-private partnerships, or non-profit collaborations, which would greatly benefit economically disadvantaged or less fortunate communities.

The plan—What changes need to take place to get there?
Transit agencies should target electric vehicles/public transportation methods in communities that are highly polluted or struggle economically, and prioritize making these vehicles affordable and accessible. In addition to being electric, buses, trains, and subways should include low floors, wheelchair ramps, and space to store mobility devices. Times, dates, and updates should be communicated through apps for people with mental and physical disabilities. In case of low battery, cars should include emergency lights or signals to warn nearby drivers. Backup plans and special lanes on roads should be created in case of battery shortage during motion. Fast- electric charging stations should be placed at strategic locations, with high-power chargers ensuring minimal downtime.

Public awareness—Promoting the issue and the plan to fix it
In order to make sure everyone hears about this shift, public awareness is essential to achieve this goal. Social media videos, posts, and tweets create a big impact. Marketing campaigns and advertisements in newscasts will also spread word about the impact of electric vehicles.

Conclusion
The overuse of fossil fuels has been an ongoing issue since the 1950s. Fossil fuels are the main contributor to wildfires, global warming, and droughts. To preserve it, the shift towards all- electric vehicles is necessary. To achieve this goal, transit agencies can receive funds from U.S. governments, and partner with non-profit collaborations. Electric vehicles should be targeted in underserved communities, and public transportation should be improved and linked to apps that communities with disabilities are also able to use. While challenging, this shift is necessary and achievable for a safe, sustainable future.

Bibliography

Economic Recovery | Bay Area Council Economic Institute. (2019). Bayareaeconomy.org. https://www.bayareaeconomy.org/economic-recovery/

U.S. Department of Energy. (2024). Alternative Fuels Data Center: Electric Vehicle Benefits and Considerations. Afdc.energy.gov; U.S. Department of Energy. https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity-benefits