The latest on electric vehicles - September 29

Did you know that electric vehicle (EV) owners save about 50% on maintenance and repairs over the life of their vehicles compared to similar costs paid by owners of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles? That's the conclusion of a new report issued by Consumer Reports, a scientific, non-partisan consumer interest resarch group. "Consumer Reports analyzed its 2019 and 2020 reliability survey data for thousands of electric and gas-powered vehicles, and found that drivers of electric vehicles are saving an average of 50% on maintenance and repair over the life of a vehicle compared to owners of gas-powered vehicles."

 

The organization has also found that, "Nationwide EVs are over 60% cleaner than the average gasoline powered vehicle."

 

An August study from Northwestern University concluded that, "... if EVs replaced 25% of combustion-engine cars currently on the road, the United States would save approximately $17 billion annually by avoiding damages from climate change and air pollution. In more aggressive scenarios — replacing 75% of cars with EVs and increasing renewable energy generation — savings could reach as much as $70 billion annually."

 

On Tuesday, September 29 at 7 p.m., the Coulee Region Sierra Club will host an online program on The Latest on Electric Vehicles with guest Jeffrey Springer, Manager of Innovation and Efficient Electrification at Dairyland Power Cooperative. RSVP for access information at tiny.cc/CRSCEV929

Discussion will include information about current and coming EVs, the truth about charging, how we can encourage EV adoption in our communities and more. EV owners will join Mr. Springer, an EV owner, to answer your questions.

In 2019, the Sierra Club released a report of its nationwide study on the EV buying experience. The report found that many dealerships are not selling EVs, many sales staff are inadequately trained and educated about EVs, and some consumers found sales personnel to be antagonistic toward EVs.

"Shockingly, we found that 74% of auto dealerships nationwide do not have a single EV on their lot for sale and that consumers were still not being given important information about charging, battery range, and financial incentives.In some instances, volunteers indicated that they could not go for a test drive because the vehicle was insufficiently charged or that they were encouraged to purchase a non-electric vehicle instead."

Many buyers think the EVs are too expensive, but the cost of used EVs in many cases is
similar to the cost of equivalent used ICE vehicles. It is very possible to purchase a used EV or a plug-in hybrid EV for under $10,000. Factoring in the total cost of buying and owning a car, EVs are already cheaper than fossil-fueled vehicles. Many EV experts expect purchase prices of EVs to cost less than ICE vehicles within the coming decade.

To be sure, there are issues with current EVs including lithium required in batteries, pollution caused by tire wear, and congestions issues not addressed by switching an ICE vehicle with an EV. But, if we are going to travel, finding the cleanest, least carbon-emitting way should be a top priority. Battery research is continuing and efficiencies improving. 

Join the conversation! Everyone is welcome.

Indivisible: Save the Court

 

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a champion for civil rights and gender equality, passed away on September 18. We cannot let Donald Trump destroy her legacy by replacing her with a justice from his shortlist of conservative extremists. Anyone Trump picks to replace RBG would no doubt undo all of the progressive change she fought for her whole life. 

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who held open a Supreme Court seat for over a year in 2016 to prevent Barack Obama from filling it,  has already declared he will bring Trump’s nomination to the floor for the vote. We cannot let this happen. We have to block everything Republicans try to do to get this nomination confirmed and we have to fight like hell to take back the Senate and the White House in November.

Call, tweet, and email your senators – and then start phonebanking, writing letters, or plan a local event to take the Senate this November. We owe Justice Ginsburg nothing less.

Indivisible is calling for Senate District Office visits this Friday, September 25 to demand that our senators not vote to confirm a new justice until after Inauguration Day. Find more than 600 phonebanking, textbanking, and letter writing events to take back the Senate on Indivisible's map

Women's votes save the world!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 - 7 p.m.

REPRESENTATION MATTERS:

Increasing diversity in politics

Join this energetic panel discussion, hosted by Our Wisconsin Revolution, to hear from women in politics in and around the La Crosse, WI area as they discuss their experiences running for and serving in elected offices.

Topics will include navigating barriers related to gender, basic knowledge and experience needed to make an informed decision on whether to run for office, how activists and organizers on the local level can encourage gender diversity in politics, and advice for those marginalized by gender who are considering running for office.

MORE DETAILS. 

AND

Supercharge is a streaming celebration packed with the inspiring voices of powerful women politicians, grassroots fighters, and artists. This event will include opportunities to dance, laugh, learn, unite and make a plan to vote. We’ll keep the momentum up through the election with weekly events to dive into the most pressing issues facing us. This is our time to move and be moved—to share in the energy created when women come together to make change. RSVP

Antiracism - La Crosse Area Viewpoint Oct. 1

Dear Community Member,

Join us for this urgent roundtable discussion, shaped by the perspective of local leaders: Shaundel Spivey, Rebecca Schwarz, Ricardo Acevedo, Dr. Bee Lo, Nicky Buck, and Amanda Goodenough, as they collectively react to and process the current state of racism in the here and now and ultimately explore what it would take to realize a healthier multicultural community. Don't miss out on being part of this high-priority conversation to shift the La Crosse area toward racial justice. 

For more information, please visit the event page. 

Register at this link.

AAMAN Police Reform Survey

The African Mutual Assistance Network, Inc. (AAMAN), in its capacity as an impartial, neutral and independent nonprofit, humanitarian organization, engages in dialogue with police and governments in numerous cities nationwide. 

This dialogue seeks to limit and prevent suffering among people affected by the use of deadly force on non-threatening and unarmed African-American, Latino, and Indigenous individuals. 

Police mandated to enforce the law in their cities play an important role in that regard since it is their responsibility to serve and protect people and communities and, in particular, to prevent and detect crime, to maintain public order and to protect and assist people in need. 

By taking this important survey, YOUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD! It's time to ACT! 

AAMAN will send you the results of the survey at its end on January 15, 2021. The results of this Survey will be delivered by Special Carrier to Congress on Monday, February 1, 2021; the first day of Black History Month. 

Go to https://aaman.online/reform to complete the survey. 

Thank you and Stay Safe! 

Cecil Adams, Jr.,B.Sc. 

CEO and Founder African American Mutual Assistance Network, Inc.

317 4th Street South Suite 289 La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601