New report: Florida among national leaders in electric vehicle adoption

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Morgan Hayward

Former Director, Destination: Zero Carbon, Environment America

Decade-long analysis details dramatic clean energy growth in Florida and nation

Environment Florida Research & Policy Center

ST PETERSBURG – Florida ranks third in the nation for cumulative electric vehicle (EV) sales through 2020, according to a new report released today by Environment Florida Research & Policy Center. Renewables on the Rise 2021: The rapid growth of renewables, electric vehicles and other building blocks of a clean energy future documents the growth of six key clean energy technologies across the U.S. over the past decade: solar power, wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and heat pumps. As of 2020, Florida had over 77,000 EVs on the road and had deployed more than 5,600 charging ports across the state. This analysis comes as two federal bills could allocate billions of dollars in funding towards electric vehicle infrastructure and tax credits which will jumpstart vehicle electrification in Florida and around the country.

“Florida is charging ahead towards a future powered by clean electric vehicles,” said Eve Lukens-Day, Global Warming Solutions Associate with Environment Florida Research & Policy Center. “Floridians can look forward to a safer, healthier future, thanks to the state’s leadership in EV adoption.” 

Beyond top-ranking EV sales, the Sunshine State has also seen a 48-fold growth in solar energy since 2011. For electric vehicles to be truly emissions free, they must be charged by a grid powered by clean energy, so the tandem growth of renewables on the grid and EVs on the road is essential. Nationwide, strong and supportive policies, combined with improving technologies and falling prices, have played a key role in driving clean energy adoption and will be important factors for future growth, according to the report. 

In addition to highlighting states that have made the most progress in adopting renewable energy technologies, the research also details the rapid gains achieved nationally over the past decade. According to the report, America produced almost four times as much renewable electricity from the sun and the wind in 2020 as in 2011. Additionally, if wind, solar and geothermal generation continue growing at the same 15% annual rate, renewables could meet the nation’s electricity needs by 2035. 

“Millions of Americans and Floridians are already reaping the benefits of the dramatic clean energy progress we’ve made so far,” Lukens-Day said. “But, there’s still more to do to transform the vision of 100% electric transportation for Florida into a reality. Florida should join the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) program that has already made it easier in 12 states to make the switch to EVs. By joining the ZEV program, Florida can race towards a future driven by emissions-free electric vehicles.”

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