Free Parking For Clean Cars

This week, the San Jose City Council approved a two-year pilot program to provide free parking to people who drive electric and natural gas-powered vehicles. As part of the program, the city will also install additional public electrical charging and compressed natural gas stations. Additionally, the City will increase the number of clean-fuel airport shuttles, street sweepers, and other vehicles. The parking perks, which will begin this summer, add to existing advantages which allow solo clean-car drivers to use carpool lanes and provide $3,000-a-year rebates on vehicle leases and purchases. Other cities, such as San Francisco and Berkeley, are considering using the San Jose program as a model for similar programs. The City of San Francisco is currently converting long-haul garbage trucks, street sweepers, and taxis to natural gas power. Berkeley is pursuing a similar policy to create a clean-air fleet in addition to opening its first public natural gas station next month. Los Angeles and Sacramento have already instituted a free parking program for clean vehicles.

Thanks to California 2000 Project