New Orleans is advancing its carbon neutral strategy with an ambitious push to increase electric vehicles (EVs) by 2035, aiming for 40% of passenger and light-duty vehicles in Orleans Parish to be battery-powered. This shift is critical, as gas-powered vehicles contribute nearly half of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. To meet this ESG goal, Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration plans to offer incentives and gather community input on EV adoption, developing a comprehensive “Electric Transportation Roadmap” by next year. 

Currently, only 1% of vehicles in New Orleans are electric, but efforts to boost this percentage include installing charging stations in partnership with Entergy. So far, 30 public charging stations are available, with plans for an additional 160 pending a federal grant. Experts suggest one charging station for every 20-30 EVs, which would require significantly expanding infrastructure as EV ownership grows. 

In addition to expanding EV usage, New Orleans is enhancing its public transportation to reduce emissions. The city received a $950,000 federal grant for its Bus Rapid Transit project, which will introduce lower-emission buses to link New Orleans East, the Central Business District, and Algiers. The city is also exploring e-bike incentives, with rebates of $600-$1,200 set to launch next year for locally purchased e-bikes. 

Another key component of the plan includes replacing 75% of the city’s 1,700-vehicle fleet with electric or low-emission vehicles by 2035. New Orleans began this transition with 10 electric vehicles purchased last year, but further funding is needed to support this shift fully. 

By addressing infrastructure, incentives, and transportation alternatives, New Orleans is laying the groundwork to achieve its carbon neutral and ESG targets.\ 

Sources:  

https://www.govtech.com/transportation/new-orleans-plans-dramatic-increase-in-electric-vehicles 

https://neworleanscitybusiness.com/blog/2024/03/19/as-electric-vehicle-sales-slow-us-relaxes-plans-for-stricter-auto-emissions-standards-for-a-while/ 

https://nola.gov/next/resilience-sustainability/topics/transportation/transportation-electrification/ 

https://www.realclearenergy.org/articles/2024/08/05/new_orleans_and_the_nation_need_to_get_serious_about_investing_in_our_electric_grid_1049149.html