Policy
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solar panels to the grid. Policies have been developed in many parts of the
world to manage these distributed power generation arrangements. In some
locations, net metering has been implemented, and distributed electricity
generated by residents and businesses may flow into the grid and be valued
the same as that which flows from the utility.
10.3 Transportation
Many policies have been enacted to address transportation because of the
significant effects of combustion emissions from transportation on air quality
and because of the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These include
policies motivated by health impacts associated with diesel emissions, which
are a major concern in many countries. Incentives to purchase battery electric
vehicles (BEVs) and plug- in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are currently
common in many countries.
Norway, for example, has made great progress in its efforts to encourage
the purchase and use of electric vehicles (EVs). The country has set a goal
to have all new cars with zero emissions by 2025 and it is on track to reach
this goal, with more than half of new car sales being plug- in models in 2017.
Norway has implemented an array of incentives to work towards this goal.
EVs have reduced purchase taxes and are exempt from the 25% value added
tax. Road taxes, road tolls, ferry prices, and parking costs are also less for
EVs. These financial incentives have resulted in Norway being the third largest market for EVs in the world in 2017 (Jones, 2018).
In a very different part of the world, air pollution in Los Angeles has been a
major health concern for more than 50 years. This has led to an ongoing effort
to improve air quality through regulations and other policies within the LA
area and in California overall. California has had significant success with
incentives to encourage EV sales. About half of the EV sales in the United
States have been in California, where there are significant policy goals and
incentives to encourage EV sales and use. The policy incentives are in place
because of air pollution and the goal to improve air quality and health.
Secondarily, though, California is also attempting to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
There is a clean vehicle rebate in California when a new EV is purchased;
the amount in 2019 is $2500 for all EVs, such as the Chevy Bolt, and $1500
for many PHEVs (DriveClean, 2019). There is also a Clean Air Vehicle decal,
which allows drivers of an EV special lane access. Air pollution regulations
in the United States more broadly have been impacted by the development of
regulations and policies in California (designed in particular to improve air
quality in Southern California). Thus, there is now also a federal tax credit of
up to $7500 for the purchasing of EVs in all states. The value of the tax credit
95
95
solar panels to the grid. Policies have been developed in many parts of the
world to manage these distributed power generation arrangements. In some
locations, net metering has been implemented, and distributed electricity
generated by residents and businesses may flow into the grid and be valued
the same as that which flows from the utility.
10.3 Transportation
Many policies have been enacted to address transportation because of the
significant effects of combustion emissions from transportation on air quality
and because of the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These include
policies motivated by health impacts associated with diesel emissions, which
are a major concern in many countries. Incentives to purchase battery electric
vehicles (BEVs) and plug- in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are currently
common in many countries.
Norway, for example, has made great progress in its efforts to encourage
the purchase and use of electric vehicles (EVs). The country has set a goal
to have all new cars with zero emissions by 2025 and it is on track to reach
this goal, with more than half of new car sales being plug- in models in 2017.
Norway has implemented an array of incentives to work towards this goal.
EVs have reduced purchase taxes and are exempt from the 25% value added
tax. Road taxes, road tolls, ferry prices, and parking costs are also less for
EVs. These financial incentives have resulted in Norway being the third largest market for EVs in the world in 2017 (Jones, 2018).
In a very different part of the world, air pollution in Los Angeles has been a
major health concern for more than 50 years. This has led to an ongoing effort
to improve air quality through regulations and other policies within the LA
area and in California overall. California has had significant success with
incentives to encourage EV sales. About half of the EV sales in the United
States have been in California, where there are significant policy goals and
incentives to encourage EV sales and use. The policy incentives are in place
because of air pollution and the goal to improve air quality and health.
Secondarily, though, California is also attempting to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
There is a clean vehicle rebate in California when a new EV is purchased;
the amount in 2019 is $2500 for all EVs, such as the Chevy Bolt, and $1500
for many PHEVs (DriveClean, 2019). There is also a Clean Air Vehicle decal,
which allows drivers of an EV special lane access. Air pollution regulations
in the United States more broadly have been impacted by the development of
regulations and policies in California (designed in particular to improve air
quality in Southern California). Thus, there is now also a federal tax credit of
up to $7500 for the purchasing of EVs in all states. The value of the tax credit