Wednesday, July 1, 2020 | 2 a.m.
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I got behind the wheel of an electric vehicle for the first time this year at an event co-hosted by Plug In America and Clark County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability.
I was excited to test out a car that’s so much better for the environment, and one that can save families like mine money at the pump.
When I turned on the car, I couldn’t tell because it was so quiet. The Nissan Leaf that I drove didn’t have many bells and whistles, but the acceleration of an electric motor was impressive, and it handled great. I realized that these vehicles don’t have to be fancy — they can get us where we need to go, but leave behind the smog, the volatile gas prices and the seemingly endless maintenance needs that plague gas-powered cars.
I knew then and there that my family’s next car would be electric. I’m keeping my eye on new minivan models.
As a state legislator who served on a committee dealing with transportation policy, the big-picture issues also became clearer. How can we get charging stations in more convenient places? How can we get more of our electricity from renewable sources to make electric vehicles truly zero-emissions? How can we get more affordable plug-in models, including used cars, available for purchase in Nevada?
With all of these questions on my mind, I was excited to hear Gov. Steve Sisolak’s recent announcement that he would pursue clean car standards for Nevada. That policy ensures that more of the vehicles automakers ship to Nevada dealers will have the ability to plug in and run on electricity.
The new standards would make it more likely that when my kids get behind the wheel for the first time, they’ll be driving electric. It also means that so many more Nevadans can have the same experience I had taking an electric vehicle out on the road for the first time, but without having to go to a special event. Everybody should have the opportunity to see how it’s similar, and also a little different.
You’ll zip right past your gas station and head to an electric charging station instead, or even charge at home. In Las Vegas, that cost is equivalent to paying $0.93 per gallon of gasoline. You’ll get to skip oil changes and some trips to the mechanic, too, since the simpler electric engines don’t need as much work.
I want my kids to be happy and healthy. And since I joined the Nevada State Assembly, I’ve tried to pass legislation that guarantees safety and opportunity for all children in our state. We can’t secure their futures without addressing the realities of climate change, because transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and Las Vegas is the fastest-warming city in the nation.
We also have to look at vehicle pollution in our air, which leads to asthma and other respiratory issues that hit our kids first and worst. In fact, a 2010 study of the Clark County School District — where my kids go to school — found that students with asthma were much more likely to miss school days and that these absences negatively affect their learning.
We don’t always think about the relationship between protecting our environment and improving our schools, but it’s actually pretty intuitive: Kids can’t learn when they’re sick. As a parent and as a legislator, I know we’ve got to commit to clean transportation to give all of our kids the best possible chance at good health and a quality education. It’s that simple.
To clean the air, save money and secure a stable climate for generations to come — these are all reasons why I’m passionate about getting more electric vehicles on the road. Clean car standards help us get there, and I hope you all have the opportunity to take a test drive at your local dealership soon.
Rochelle Nguyen represents Assembly District 10 in the Nevada Legislature.
