Tips of the Month
Go Electric
Electric vehicles, widely known as “EVs”, are cars or trucks with a motor that runs on electricity instead of gasoline or diesel. EVs have a lot of advantages that are making them increasingly popular. Compared to conventional vehicles, EVs are typically cheaper to drive per-mile, have lower maintenance costs, and are quieter. They are very responsive vehicles to drive, with highly efficient braking that converts the moving energy into stored battery power to be reused. Because they don’t burn fuel, EVs don’t emit CO2, a leading cause of climate change, or other pollutants.
What types of EVs are available?
There are many makes and models of EVs available and options continue to grow. You can find EV cars, SUVs, and trucks. Most major car manufacturers now sell EVs.
There are two general kinds of vehicles with electric motors:
- Plug-in hybrid - these have both a conventional combustion engine that burns gasoline and an electric motor.
- Fully electric - these only have an electric motor and use no gasoline at all.
How far can you drive on a charge?
Most new fully electric EVs on the market have ranges of about 150 miles to over 400 miles. Plug-in hybrids typically have a battery range of about 20-40 miles and use regular fuel beyond that. Because most trips are 35 miles or less, both fully electric and plug-in hybrid EVs can be good choices for going electric.
How much do new EVs cost?
New EVs typically cost a bit more than comparable gas-powered vehicles, but EV operating costs are considerably lower, making them cheaper over the lifetime of the vehicle. The least expensive EVs are under $30,000, and there are many options in the $30,000-$50,000 range. Certain EVs are eligible for substantial state and federal tax rebates/credits.
Want to find out more?
Join the “Go Electric Event”, Saturday, September 23, 2023 (rain date September 30, 2023) from 10am - 1pm at the Hollywood Shopping Center (near MOM’s and the Hollywood Farmers Market)
Come learn about electric cars and e-bikes!
- see several electric cars and talk with local EV owners
- talk with e-bike vendors and test-ride some e-bikes
From the City's Committee for a Better Environment
September is National Preparedness Month!
Are you prepared for an emergency with your pets? If not, it’s ok. It’s never too late to start planning. Here are some tips and guides to making a plan for you and your pets. The United States Dept. of Homeland Security suggests these steps for emergencies with your pets in mind:
“1. Make a plan.
2. Build an emergency kit.
3. Stay informed.”
#1. The plan
Do you have an evacuation plan for you and your family in the event of an emergency? Some hospitals and hotels don’t allow pets even during emergencies. Jot down some possible places for your pets to go. A family friend, a local pet boarding facility, or check with your local government for their emergency plan and see if it includes any holding of animals. Check with your neighbors, friends, or family and try to make a contact list of people who are willing to be called to come care for your animals if you need to leave the pet at home. Lastly, make sure your pet is microchipped and that the microchip information has the most recent, up to date contact information listed.
#2. Building an emergency kit.
Create an emergency kit of things your pet may need. Ready.gov suggests: “Have two kits, one larger kit if you are sheltering in place and one lightweight version for if you need to evacuate.”
Include your pets basic needs of survival. Food for multiple days, in a container that can be air-tight and waterproof. Water bottles, enough water for several days, a bowl. Don’t forget to consider your pet’s size. A larger dog needs a lot more water than a cat. Also having a place in the bag for your pet’s medication, if they are on any that they need daily.
Pet First aid kits can be bought online or you can assemble one yourself. A list of things needed in a pet first aid kit can be found here from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine: https://vet.tufts.edu/news-events/news/pet-first-aid
Tags, collars, and ID should all be included. Including any necessary vet records, and photos of your pets. Don’t forget to include sanitary items for cleaning up messes, puppy pads, paper towels, disinfectant, and bags for disposal. Litter and boxes for cats.
Lastly, include some items that smell like home for comfort. An old t-shirt that you’ve worn and not washed, toys, blanket and/or towels. Comfort spray can also be bought, especially for cats. Calming treats as well are great to add, which are available for dogs and cats.
3. Staying informed.
Follow your local government pages on social media to make sure you can get the most recent alerts and broadcasts. Check your government websites and see if they have email subscriptions to emergency alerts. Download apps like the FEMA app or the National Weather Service app. And finally, always take alerts seriously. Go inside, or stay in place when alerted to do so. This not only keeps you safe but other people safe as well.
For more information, visit:
From the City's Animal Control Officer