Electric vehicles are driving into the future in Sacramento with a new car share incentive, pushed forward last Wednesday. City leaders gathered at the Belle Cooledge Library to announce the addition of five car share locations and a fresh initiative aimed at putting zero-emission rides within reach of more residents. This move ties into the broader EV Blueprint Implementation Project, aimed at reducing transportation-related emissions, which, as it turns out, are over half of Sacramento’s total greenhouse gas output.
For those living around Sacramento with tighter wallets, there is a tangible perk—a $100 bump in Zipcar driving credits available to new members of the Our Community Car Share (OCCS) program who meet income or locational eligibility. According to the Sacramento City Express, these incentives will zip their way to approved applicants through the end of December, and they’re especially focused on helping out underserved communities.
Mayor Pro Tem Eric Guerra, who also serves on the Air District Board of Directors, highlighted the inclusivity and environmental benefits of the venture. “Sacramento is building a clean transportation future that works for everyone,” he said. “These incentives make it easier for residents to choose zero-emission options for their daily needs, reducing both household costs and our community’s carbon footprint,” Guerra told Sacramento City Express.
As part of the EV Blueprint Implementation Project, the City has rolled out 67 new EV chargers at 13 locations. These aren’t just any spots; they’re strategically placed in historically underserved areas, giving a power-up to those without easy access to charging stations at home or work. The Department of Public Works headed the installation process at a variety of community hubs—from libraries to parks—helping Sacramento residents get a smoother glide into electric vehicle ownership.
And let’s not forget the pedal power. The EV project also piloted a trial to lend out e-bikes from the Sacramento Public Library, aimed at encouraging local trips without the car keys. “This pilot has been strongly utilized by library patrons, which really shows the community’s demand for zero-emission mobility options,” Rachel Patten, the City’s Climate Action Lead, observed. The e-bike program wraps up on December 6 after a two-year run, but not without a treasury of data to steer future clean transport endeavors, Patten indicated in conversations with Sacramento City Express.
This environmental gear shift, with combined efforts from the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Sacramento Public Library, Zipcar, SacBreathe, and the California Energy Commission, paints a road map of what an equitable ecological transition could look like. These steps mark not just a city charging ahead with climate innovation, but a community offered a seat at the sustainable table. More information and the tools to tap into these resources are available on the city’s official project page at cityofsacramento.gov/evblueprint.
