Central Valley sees boost in electric car sales

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Jaime Holt of the San Joaquin Valley Air District say right now is the best time to purchase or lease an electric car.

Holt explained, "In addition to the up to $3,000.00 from the valley air district folks can get up to $2,500.00 from the Air Resources Board, that's a state program, and then if they buy a vehicle out right there's a federal tax credit that can be up to $7,500.00."

On top of rebate programs, some car makers have their own incentives. Fiat offers 12 free car rentals a year with a 36 month lease, and Nissan is giving customers $3,300.00 rebate with financing on a purchase.

Because vehicles are what causes most of the pollutants in the air here in the Central Valley, encouraging drivers to go electric is the fastest way to improve our air quality.

Despite the savings involved in going electric there is the concern of the lack of charging infrastructure in the Valley. Most electric car models can only travel an average of 80 miles on a full charge.

Holt added, "At the valley air district we are really looking at ways we can incentivize not only getting people into these vehicles but getting businesses, private agencies and other folks in town, other businesses to be able to put in charging infrastructure."

Electric car owners we spoke with say they haven't had any major problems when it comes to running out of charge, and they say the perks out do the challenges.

Cecilia Rocha explained, "I feel like I am getting paid to drive it because it was a great deal, I got the incentives, I also got onto a special PG&E rate plan that dropped my PG&E bill in half."