Electric Vehicles are Ready to Roll in New Mexico

Environment New Mexico Research & Policy Center

Albuquerque, NM – With the right policies in place, plug-in vehicles can reduce oil dependence in New Mexico by more than 812,000 gallons per year, according to a new report released today by Environment New Mexico Research & Policy Center.

“It’s time to plug in, power up, and protect our planet because plug-in vehicles have arrived here in New Mexico,” said Sanders Moore, director at Environment New Mexico Research & Policy Center.

According to the Environment New Mexico Research & Policy Center report, Charging Forward: The Emergence of Electric Vehicles and Their Role in Reducing Oil Consumption, 3,400 drivers in New Mexico could purchase their first plug-in vehicle within the next three years. Overall these vehicles will reduce New Mexico]’s global warming pollution by 5,757 metric tons per year.  If the plug-in vehicles are powered by clean sources of electricity, these savings will rise to 14,269 metric tons per year.

“For decades, owning a car has meant consuming oil. Today, drivers finally have a choice,” said Moore. “Thanks in part to smart policies in New Mexico and from the Obama administration, every major automobile manufacturer is offering a new plug-in vehicle powered primarily by electricity. For the first time, we can power our cars with clean energy.”

In Washington, President Obama has proposed fuel efficiency standards that Environment New Mexico credits as being the most important step ever taken to build clean, advanced technology cars that will get us off oil. His administration has also made investments in critical technologies, such as advanced batteries and high powered charging stations.

“Here in New Mexico, the New Mexico Clean Cars program has helped ensure that New Mexico drivers continue to have a choice between vehicles powered by oil and advanced, high-tech vehicles powered by clean energy. This year, New Mexico will have an opportunity to build on this critical program by adopting new rules that will help us build over 1.4 million electric vehicles by 2025.

The Environment New Mexico Research & Policy Center report shows the impressive technological breakthroughs that have helped move plug-in vehicles into the fast lane, from advanced batteries that have dropped in price by over 80 percent, to super-fast charging stations that have reduced charge times by over 90 percent.

To make plug-in vehicles a choice for more consumers, Environment New Mexico Research & Policy Center’s report calls for more work to be done to build the infrastructure of the charging stations that can service these vehicles, as well as more investment in the technologies that will drive down prices. Currently, New Mexico ranks 39th in the country for total amount of vehicle charging stations.  Environment New Mexico Research & Policy Center also called on state and federal leaders to help plug-in vehicles achieve the greatest possible pollution reductions by adopting policies that will ensure we get more of our electricity from clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.

Environment New Mexico Research & Policy Center was joined by Susan Miller with Nissan and Art Gardenswartz, electric vehicle owner in releasing today’s report.

“Electric vehicles, such as the Nissan Leaf, are the vehicles of the future – a future that is free from emissions and the best legacy to leave our children,” said Susan Miller, Melloy Nissan.  
Art Gardenswartz, electric vehicle owner demonstrated the economic benefits of the technology, “I drive about 1000 miles a month, which would cost me approximately $2000 in gasoline for the year, compared to the $45 a year, or $1.50 a month, I am paying in increased electric bills.  After installing solar panels, I will be able to power my vehicle entirely with clean energy, further decreasing my impact on the environment.”

“Electric vehicles offer all Americans hope for a cleaner, healthier future. But to make this promise a reality, continued public investment will be necessary to ensure that these vehicles are as convenient and as affordable as cars powered by oil,” concluded Moore.