Of the more than 10 million cars registered in Pennsylvania, only 4,364 are electric -- less than .001 percent.
A statewide coalition dedicated to increasing electric vehicle usage in Pennsylvania has released a draft plan of strategies to boost that number.
The Drive Electric Pennsylvania Coalition is led by the Department of Environmental Protection and involves state and municipal government officials, environmental advocates and auto companies.
Some of the top strategies discussed at the group's quarterly meeting Monday include an electric vehicle marketing campaign targeted at consumers, expanding a state rebate program for residents who buy EVs and enacting building code amendments that incorporate charging stations.
According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price for an electric vehicle last October was $36,885.
Dave Althoff with the DEP says some people are hesitant to buy EVs because they don't frequently see them in action. He says the more electric vehicles there are on the roads, the more people will feel comfortable with them.
"They'll gain more confidence related to where they can drive these vehicles, and the benefits of the vehicles so they can make a choice that fits their lifestyle," Althoff said.
The final EV roadmap from the Drive Electric Pennsylvania Coalition will be available to the public in June. The group will then decide how to implement the chosen strategies.
