California is leading the way for the nation when it comes to electric cars. And Anaheim is one city that embraces these green car alternatives.

The Orange County Auto Show for 2010 is over; it lasted from Oct. 7 through Oct. 10 in Anaheim. At The Crossing Anaheim, we’re a green living community, so our residents will be glad to know that attendees at the auto show had the opportunity to test drive the new all-electric Nissan Leaf. Those who did drive it were among the first people in the country to do so.

According to an article by NPR, the Leaf (seen in the picture on the left) will cost $20,000 in California after state and federal tax credits.

In a related issue, hybrid car owners have enjoyed riding solo in the carpool lane here in California. This benefit may be coming to an end, though. The stickers will expire Jan. 1, 2011. A renewal of the program is not definite.

Also seen at the auto show this year, the Chevrolet Volt is a new kind of hybrid. It is part electric, but it also can run on gas. This way it makes it easier to use since not many charging stations are available yet.

California has a goal to have 7,500 all-electric and 25,000 plug-in hybrid cars on its roads by 2014, rising to 60,000 electrics and 85,000 plug-in hybrids by 2017, the Wall Street Journal reports. At our apartments, we offer preferred parking for fuel efficient vehicles. Do you own one, or will you in the near future?

Photo Credit: Tennen-Gas

At The Crossing – Anaheim, we support green living and encourage our residents to lead environmentally conscious lives, so we’re glad to report that nearby L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa seems to be starting a major energy revolution.

Solar panels are one source of renewable energy.

Since 2007, he’s been trying to stop coal consumption in Los Angeles. Going further, he’s also converted the city’s street and traffic lights to LED lights, distributed compact fluorescent bulbs, and educated residents about solar panels.

The reason these renewable energy initiatives are so important is because important people across the nation are watching. If his goals are successful, this could fuel a nationwide reform!

Our own Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle has also been working towards some initiatives that would be of interest to us as a green living community.

• Pringle is the chair of The California High-Speed Rail Authority, which hired a new person in hopes of making the dream of a high-speed rail line from Anaheim to San Francisco become a reality.
• Our city partnered with iCel Systems, which use renewable energy and solar panels.

Do you know of any other green programs or projects underway in Anaheim?

Photo Credit: Chandra Marsono