A “Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan” has been approved by the Yolo County Board of Supervisors as a means of “achieving net-negative emissions” by 2030.

The two-year, $300,000 contract is with DKS Associates and was promoted by Leslie Lindbo, director of Department of Community Services.

The plan basically promotes transitioning from gas-powered cars and trucks to electric or other low- or no-emission vehicles.

By way of background, from September 2021 to January 2022, county staff sought applications for short-term actions to further county climate action initiatives.

Both the county’s Climate Action Commission and Board of Supervisors have previously voted to OK a series of seven “early actions,” including zero-emission vehicles.

Yolo County was awarded $263,820 from Caltrans in September 2023 to develop the plan in partnership with the four incorporated cities, UC Davis, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and Yolo Transportation District.

Under the plan, locations for new infrastructure development, assessing the electrical grid’s capacity to sustain increased zero-emission vehicle usage and recommend improvements as well as identify state, federal and other funding sources.

Another element calls for devising a strategy to help low-income households afford low-emission vehicles.

At this point, the county and DKS Associates will go to work at prioritizing implementation plans and ideas for reducing vehicle emissions in conjunction with the cities and its other partners to achieve the county’s 2030 goals.