California Urges Not To Charge Electric Cars During Peak Hours To Avoid Power Outages

California Extends Flex Alert Amid Sweltering Heatwave, Urges People Not to Charge Electric Vehicles During Peak Hours to Avoid Power Outages

Cristina Laila 

The California Independent System Operator extended a Flex Alert into the weekend amid a sweltering heatwave in an effort to avoid rolling blackouts.

Earlier this week, just days after passing a law banning new sales of gasoline powered cars by 2035, California urged residents to avoid charging their electric vehicles during peak hours to avoid power outages.

“During a Flex Alert, consumers are urged to reduce energy use from 4-9 p.m. when the system is most stressed because demand for electricity remains high and there is less solar energy available. The top three conservation actions are to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using large appliances and charging electric vehicles, and turn off unnecessary lights.“

The company that manages the power grid in California extended the Flex Alert on Friday evening and once again asked people to reduce their energy use.

Temperatures are expected to soar into the triple digits in Southern California for Labor Day weekend.

Even the coastal cities in SoCal (which are usually cooler) are under a heat advisory all weekend.

“Californians are strongly urged to lower electricity use by setting thermostats to 78 or higher, health permitting, avoid using major appliances, and turning off all unnecessary lights,” officials announced Friday evening. “Tomorrow’s Flex Alert is the fourth consecutive call for conservation, as much of the state remains gripped in an extensive heat wave.”

Last week California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) bragged about being the “first jurisdiction in the world” to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles.

Last Thursday California air regulators voted to ban new gas-powered car sales by 2035.