FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18 March 2024
SAN PEDRO, CA – Today Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) joined Doug Guthrie, President/CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), Michelle Kinman, Senior VP of Market Transformation for the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, representatives from Envoy, and residents of Rancho San Pedro public housing to celebrate $235,000 in federal funding she secured for expansion of the existing electric car share program for residents.
The funding, secured by Congresswoman Barragán in the first round of FY24 government funding bills, will allow HACLA to expand the program by purchasing new electric vehicles and improving the infrastructure at the charging site.
“It was great to be back at the Rancho San Pedro Housing Project to celebrate $235,000 of community project funding we secured in this year’s federal budget to expand the Electric Vehicle Car Share program,” said Rep. Barragán. “The future is zero emissions, electric technology, but without the right investments and programs, low-income communities and communities of color in my district and around the country are at risk of being left behind. The innovative EV Car Share program at Rancho San Pedro ensures that every resident, regardless of income, has access to affordable EV technology. I am proud to have secured this funding to allow HACLA to expand this program with new electric vehicles and infrastructure upgrades, and sustain this important resource for years to come.”
The funding for HACLA was secured by Barragán as one of 14 community projects that provide safe drinking water, improve infrastructure, and build supportive housing in communities throughout California’s 44th Congressional District. The project funding was included in the government funding package signed into law earlier this month by President Joe Biden.
“Congresswoman Barragán has been a consistent champion for our public housing communities from the start,” said HACLA President & CEO Doug Guthrie. “We appreciate her passion and dedicated focus on issues of equity and environmental justice and are grateful to partner with her in tangible solutions like this EV Car Share Program for our nearly 1,400 residents at Rancho San Pedro.”
“Thank you, Congresswoman Barragán, for your leadership in securing funds to bring zero emission transportation options to residents in your district, and also in authoring the federal EVs for All Act, which proposes to provide funding for similar projects in communities nationwide,” said Michelle Kinman, Senior Vice President, Market Transformation, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. “This project is a strong demonstration of the power of federal funding to address climate change, air pollution, environmental justice, and increased mobility options, all in one service.”
“Envoy, a wholly-owned Blink Charging company, offers on-demand EVs as an amenity, providing an innovative, environmentally-friendly solution to car ownership and transportation needs,” said CEO Aric Ohana. “Envoy equips users with ‘Mobility as an Amenity™’ service, a platform developed to make reserving and accessing the EVs a seamless, convenient process. We are proud to partner with LACI and HACLA to offer this service to the residents of Rancho San Pedro, and thank Congresswoman Barragan for her efforts to secure the funding to expand it.”
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Congressmember Nanette Barragán represents California’s 44th District. She sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and works on environmental justice and healthcare issues. She is also Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).