EV Advocates Monthly Meeting

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Kent Bullard

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Feb 15, 2026, 6:52:22 PM (3 days ago) Feb 15

to EV Advocates of Ventura

Electric Vehicle Advocates of Ventura County

6:30 PM, Tuesday, February 17, 2026

It’s time for our second monthly meeting of the year….

When – February 17th, start gathering at 6:30 to mingle, socialize, and have a bite to eat. Then at 7:00 we will hold the meeting.

Where – Spencer Makenzie’s, http://spencermakenzies.com/index.html

311 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010

Spencer Makenzie’s is famous for their fish tacos and the “Taco Tuesday” offerings. However, the other menu items are also delicious. There are even special prices for select on-tap beverages. 🍺 🌮🌮 🍺

We have reservations at 6:30 for 25+ inside in the corner.

The weather forecast for Tuesday is for a blustery, cloudy day with rain restarting just as we begin gathering, so you may want to bring a jacket.

It is imperative that you RSVP to me at kentb...@gmail.com if you are going to attend. Seating inside will be at a premium, and therefore if you want a seat. RSVP….

Bring – News of the EV world and our community. Of course, also bring any interested (or interesting) friends and your desire to meet up as we discuss a variety of topics (including EVs) and introduce others to the cause.

Does anyone have a new ride? If so, be sure to bring it so we can get a look at it.

Get a Charge while parking for the meeting –

If you need a charge, the City of Camarillo has 12 Level 2 Charge Point chargers on the SE side of City Hall, which is about a four-minute walk (1,056 feet) from Spencer Makenzie’s. ($0.29 per kW).https://www.plugshare.com/location/523336

Shirts: various options –

We are still working on a shirt order and now have two options.

1. Scott has an upcoming order through an online retailer. The cost of a sport fabric long-sleeve shirt with our logo will be around $20. write me for a copy of Scott's shirt order information. kentb...@gmail.com

2. The other option is to get a basic unisex cotton shirt, like a Haines brand or = from a local print shop with our logo on a light blue shirt. Short sleeves are around $9, and long sleeves are around $12. The minimum order is 24, but we can mix sizes and sleeve length; tall sizes are available. If you want this option, email kentb...@gmail.com with your shirt choice, size, and sleeve length. I will place the order and get them to you when you pay, before or at the next meeting.

There are two surveys that you can take to help in our EV Advocacy and education.

1. The Climate Resilience Learning Group (CRLG) has a short survey focused on the lived experiences of climate impacts, including extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, and power outages. Input from groups like EV Advocates and Sierra Club members is especially valuable given their leadership on climate and clean energy issues in Ventura County. The survey link - https://escalentcspacehandp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cRQzOV4YxdaJ2UC

2. Some of our local Charging Hosts and Electric Vehicle Service Providers (EVSP) have asked whether we can provide input on what we consider reasonable charging rates. What is the “sweet spot” one feels is reasonable to pay for a charge, whether for Level 2 AC convenience charging or DC Fast charging, such as when we are out on a road trip? We conducted a similar survey in 2022, and the results provided valuable data for setting rates. Please ask me for a survey form than complete it and email it back to me – kentb...@gmail.com

We are now planning for our upcoming outreach for Drive Electric Earth Month (the whole of April). As of now, we will be participating at four locations –

April 18^th, Ventura Plaza Park, Earth Day, and EV Showcase.

Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. Join us for the City of Ventura Earth Day, held once again at Plaza Park in downtown Ventura. Register, bring your Electric Vehicle, and spend the day mingling with others in the EV community while we educate festival attendees about EV ownership.

Last year, we had 35 vehicles on display, representing a wide variety of models, from a 1916 Rauch & Lange to a 2025 Cadillac Optiq.

We need volunteers to help make the event happen during setup and breakdown.

https://driveelectricearthmonth.org/5074

April 18^th, Thousand Oaks Arbor Day and EV Showcase.

Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. Bring your vehicle and come to this free, family-friendly event. It will include kids’ activities, live music, a plant giveaway, and free compost.

We will host an electric vehicle display area where EV owners can showcase their vehicles and be available to answer questions and share their firsthand experience and insight into EV ownership. https://toaks.gov/earthday

We have space for up to 30 vehicles. Register to attend and show your vehicle @

https://driveelectricearthmonth.org/5085

April 25^th and 26^th. Santa Barbara Earth Day 2026 and Green Car Show

Saturday 11 am to 8 pm, Sunday 11 am to 7 pm.

Earth Day in Santa Barbara (https://www.sbearthday.org/) is a two-day event that draws over 30,000 participants to celebrate the Earth. This is one of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations.

One big draw at the event is the Green Car Show, which features several elements, including ride-and-drive opportunities in electric vehicles and static displays of various makes, models, and types of electric cars, trucks, and equipment.

Also included is the Owners’ Corner, where local EV owners showcase their personal vehicles and answer questions about how EV ownership has improved their lives.

Each day we have spaces for eight vehicles. Come for either or both days to

help with the showcase and volunteer to spread the word.

Also on April 26^th, the Ventura Charter School will once again present EcoFest in West Ventura. This free, family-friendly festival will be held on the beautiful greenspace of the VCS campus. With thousands of attendees, the event promises an exciting day filled with live music, local vendor booths, food trucks, a silent auction, raffles, and much more!

This event brings us together as a community, with local companies sharing products and services, nonprofits promoting green and sustainable best practices, and Ventura Charter School showcasing their unique approach/contribution to public education.

The event includes an EV showcase featuring electric vehicles and their owners.

https://driveelectricearthmonth.org/5108

If you know of other great Earth Day events where we can participate, please let us know.

EV Charging Access updates -

Camarillo - Construction has finished on the two Tesla Supercharger stations. Just east of Carmen Drive in the Camarillo Plaza, 1775 E. Daily Drive. 24 each 325 kW chargers, and at the west end of town at the Outlet Mall, an additional 20 each 325 kW chargers are installed on the west side of Latitude 34 (near Panera & Chipotle).

Santa Paula – The recently opened ChargePoint installation at the Fermentation House, 801 E. Main Street, includes two 62.5 kW DC Fast Chargers and a dual-head Level 2 ChargePoint unit. DC, $.60 to $.95 per kWh, TOU rates. Level 2, 9.6kW, $.35 to $.70 per kWh, TOU rates. + $0.99 connection fee. 24/7 access. If you use this station, please provide a report on PlugShare

One thing we could do is help the host with the peak-load demand-use study. If you could join me sometime between 9 am and 4 pm to plug in and load the station up. Let me know, it’s a CCS / ChadeMo fast charger and a dual-head level 2 charger, all ChargePoint units. Let me know if you can help.

Thousand Oaks –

Construction has finished to install two DC Fast Chargers and 3 Level 2 units at Cho Cho San, 400 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. It is believed they are operational, but someone needs to conduct a site visit and report on the status.

Does anyone have tips on other new stations?

Camarillo -

The CSUCI project to install 30 Level 2 chargers behind the Broome Library was delayed due to SCE being unable to make the necessary infrastructure improvements on schedule. This resulted in only a few chargers being activated.

https://www.csuci.edu/fs/sustainability/what-csuci-is-doing/ev-charging-expansion.htm

Newbury Park –

Does anyone have an update on the new Tesla Superchargers at the Times Square Center, 2321 Michael Drive? What about the new Supercharger in Oak Park?

Oxnard –

Plugshare shows a “Coming Soon” station at Vallarta Supermarket, 2690 E. Vineyard Ave. Two battery-backed chargers, each with two ports. 200+ kW, CCS1 and possibly NCAS1. The chargers are from Electric Era, a new player for us.

Funding opportunities exist for charger installation along the 126 corridor and for level 2 chargers at or within ¼ mile of multi-family developments. Both programs can be stacked. One designated location for a DC Fast charger is in Saticoy at the Huntsinger Youth Sports Complex (Telephone / Wells).

Is anyone interested in coordinating 6 or so small educational EV showcases this year at local multi-family developments? There may even be the opportunity to get compensated for your time. If you would be interested, please contact kentb...@gmail.com