by Aubrey Dangelo

Widener University Political Science Major

It’s not surprising that most Americans opt for gasoline-powered cars as opposed to their electric counterparts, despite the fact that electric cars are a good economic investment because they are cheaper to “fuel” and have a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline-powered cars. Americans often favor instant gratification, and while electric cars are cheaper in the long run, electric cars are more expensive than other vehicles, and people tend to prioritize the initial cost of the vehicle as opposed to the amount of money they will save over a long period of time. Not to mention the fact that for most people, electric cars seem inconvenient because a lack of charging stations.

For citizens of California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont, though, the idea of owning an electric car may soon become much more enticing. These eight states announced on October 24, 2013 that they plan to work collaboratively to adopt new legislative measures that will promote the sale and use of electronic cars. The two most significant laws that they plan to adopt are a laws that will make charging stations more accessible and laws that will give government subsidies to people investing in electric cars. If other states would join in on this effort, the United States could reduce its carbon footprint dramatically. The United States dominates in world economics and cultural influence, and it is time for it to become a leader in environmental protection, as well.