CA asks residents to avoid charging electric vehicles, using other appliances during peak hours to avoid blackouts

California officials have asked residents to help avoid a blackout during the current heat wave by avoiding the use of major household appliances and the charging of electric vehicles during peak usage hours.

The California Independent System Operator put out a statement on Wednesday urging residents to try to limit their use of appliances like dishwashers, laundry machines, vacuums, and even charging their electric vehicles during peak hours to avoid overloading the infrastructure between the hours of 4PM and 9PM. Residents are also urged to turn off all unnecessary lights after 4PM.

California’s Air Resources Board announced in late August the state will be banning the sale of any new gas-powered automobiles beginning in 2035. Currently, however, only about 1 percent of the cars on California roads are electric. 

While there are relatively few electric vehicles in California amid the current heat wave, charging them can have the same strain on a power grid that other major appliances do. In spite of the low percentage, California still boasts the highest number of electric vehicles of all 50 states.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday ahead of soaring temperatures expected to be about 30 degrees above average.

“This is just the latest reminder of how real the climate crisis is, and how it is impacting the everyday lives of Californians,” said Newsom. “While we are taking steps to get us through the immediate crisis, this reinforces the need for urgent action to end our dependence on fossil fuels that are destroying our climate and making these heat waves hotter and more common.”