Santa Barbara County officials are pressing forward with their electric vehicle (EV) transition plans, unaffected by recent federal opposition to California’s clean air standards. The county’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains strong, backed by state funding and local momentum.
The Trump administration and Senate Republicans recently blocked California’s electric car mandate, which required all new cars sold in the state to be electric by 2035. However, Santa Barbara County is not relying on federal funds for its EV transition and has already received a $4.7 million grant from the state to support its efforts.
“We’re moving forward pretty aggressively,” said Garrett Wong, the county’s sustainability division manager. The county plans to expand its EV charging network in accordance with its 2030 Climate Action Plan. The City of Santa Barbara is also continuing its plans to electrify its fleet by 2035, with current plans to add 52 new charging stations at the city’s fleet yard.
County Supervisor Laura Capps expressed optimism about the county’s progress, stating, “We’re on fire — no pun intended. We’re signaling to the Trump administration: Not on our watch.” Local EV programs are expected to continue making progress, despite the federal pushback.
However, Lyz Bantilan, a spokesperson for the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, noted that any reduction in funding for EVs and associated infrastructure could negatively impact local air quality. Governor Gavin Newsom also expressed concern about the potential consequences of the Senate vote, stating that it could “make America smoggy again.”
A legal battle between California and the Trump administration is expected to unfold in the coming months, with Newsom promising to fight the decision in court. Despite this uncertainty, Santa Barbara County remains committed to its climate action goals and will continue to move forward with its EV transition plans.
