California, whose lawmakers have just finalized a plan to ban gas-powered cars by 2035, is now facing a heat wave that is limiting the residents’ ability to charge their EVs over Labor Day weekend, proving already that the necessary infrastructure is not in place for the entire state to go electric.
On Tuesday, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) issued a heat bulletin that warned of “extreme heat” over Labor Day weekend that “is likely to strain the grid with increased energy demands.” ISO recommended that residents reduce their power consumption and “avoid using large appliances and charging electric vehicles.”
The non-profit power operator also explained that reducing electricity consumption in the late afternoon/evening “will ease strain on the system, and prevent more drastic measures, including rotating power outages.”
Republican Rep. Steve Scalise mocked the Liberal state’s predicament, given that they have been pushing so hard for electric vehicles to become the new norm. Scalise tweeted,
“California is now telling people to ‘avoid using large appliances and charging electric vehicles’ from 4-9pm. This from the same state that’s going to force everyone to buy electric cars by 2035. This is what Democrat control looks like – and they want it nationwide. What a joke.”
California is now telling people to “avoid using large appliances and charging electric vehicles” from 4-9pm.
This from the same state that’s going to force everyone to buy electric cars by 2035.
This is what Democrat control looks like—and they want it nationwide. What a joke. pic.twitter.com/8tS3KsQWqR
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) August 31, 2022
For the past several years, California has been at risk of electricity shortages due to its lack of new power plants and unreliable solar/wind power energy. If the state were to follow through on its goal of making all new vehicles electric, there needs to be a significant expansion of the energy grid – about 30%.