Fall is almost here and school is back in session! As folks head back to their regular routines, that means more cars on the road and more traffic. Check out our tips and tricks to beat the back to school rush and help keep our air clean all year long.
1. Drive Electric — and Charge Smart
The most one-for-one switch you can make is swapping your old gas car for a new electric. Some trips require your own wheels and a plug-in electric car can eliminate your transportation-related carbon footprint. MCE’s EV rebates can lower the upfront cost and you can stack state incentives to lower your costs even further. Pair it with MCE Sync to charge automatically outside the 4–9 p.m. window, when power is both cleaner and cheaper. You’ll earn a $50 sign-up bonus, monthly cash-back credits, and a clear view of how much carbon you’ve avoided.
2. Share the Ride
Carpooling is the simplest way to pull extra cars off the road without changing your destination. Fewer vehicles mean less congestion, and high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes often let you bypass the worst jams. When arranging a carpool see if you can take advantage of an electric car! Did you know that the cost to charge an electric car per e-gallon is about half the cost of a regular gallon of gas? That’s a win-win for carbon reductions and your wallet.
3. Choose Public Transit
Did you know local bus agencies are rolling out battery-electric and hybrid fleets that glide almost silently and emit little to nothing at the tailpipe? Consider taking a zero-emission ferry or choosing electric bus service. Swapping one weekly drive for a bus or boat ride lowers regional air pollution and turns travel time into a chance to read, listen to podcasts, or just enjoy the scenery.
4. Choose Human Power (or Wi-Fi) for Short Trips
Fun fact: roughly half of Bay Area car trips cover less than three miles. For local errands, consider walking or taking your bike. An ebike is a great way to reduce carbon, get some exercise, and also make that grocery trip a bit easier.
If your employer allows it, try working from home one or more days a week. Even one remote day a week reduces an entire round-trip commute. Imagine the difference it would make for Bay Area traffic if we all worked from home one or more days a week!
Stack these habits — taking the ferry to a ballgame, riding an electric bus to work, sharing a car when you must — and the benefits multiply without feeling like a sacrifice.
Ready to Roll?
Cleaner air starts with everyday choices. Try one swap this week, then add another. You’ll spend less time stalled in traffic, more time enjoying your free time, and help everyone breathe easier. Explore EV incentives, charging programs, and other transportation resources at mceCleanEnergy.org/explore-programs-and-offers and make this season your smoothest, cleanest one yet.
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