Projects

The Electric Drive 805 coalition (formerly Plug-in Central Coast) has been working since 2011 to prepare California’s Central Coast region for electric vehicles (EVs). The coalition was launched as a joint effort by C5, the Community Environmental Council, and the Air Pollution Control Districts of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. 

Electric Drive 805 (ED805) has brought millions of dollars in grant funding for regional EV planning and projects to communities in the 805 region. ED805 partners support EV planning efforts, infrastructure projects, and EV education and outreach by engaging with hundreds of local governments, businesses, multifamily properties, charging hosts, and other stakeholders to install charging stations and ease the transition to electric vehicles. 

ED805’s efforts have helped make the 805 region an EV leader with over 1,627 Level 2 charging stations, 385 DC fast charging stations, and almost 40,000 zero-emission vehicles as of 2022.

In 2012, C5 launched the Idling Gets You Nowhere campaign in collaboration with the San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District (SLOAPCD) to promote idle awareness across the Central Coast.

The Idling Gets You Nowhere message was originally geared towards local public schools to protect children, who are most susceptible to air quality impacts associated with idling, but continues to spread awareness about the negative impacts of idling across the greater Central Coast region. 

Many individuals are unaware that idling is extremely harmful to our local environment as it contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and increases fuel dependency and costs. Idling poses severe air pollution risks, which leads to negative impacts on both the health of drivers and members of the public. As a driver, always remember to never sit in your car with the engine, air conditioning or heating on without the intention to drive. 

5 Reasons Not to Idle: 

• Reduces GHG emissions to combat climate change
• Decreases fuel costs & dependency
• Improves air quality & contributes to a clean environment
• Decreases need for unnecessary engine maintenance 
• Improves overall health of citizens