Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles in the state by the year 2035. The decision has triggered mixed feelings in low income communities who suffer disproportionately from asthma, heart disease, lung cancer and other ailments worsened by gasoline emissions but who also struggle financially and, as a result, may not be able to afford new electric vehicles (EV) which currently cost about $50,000. Speaking about the low income community he represents, Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Sacramento) recently tweeted in part, “How will my constituents afford an EV? They can’t. They currently drive 11-year-old vehicles.” This same consideration certainly holds true for communities in the inland region.
