In France, tension is mounting on the energy front, as gas and electricity could run out this winter. The government is meeting in the Defense Council this Friday to discuss the emergency measures to be taken to remedy the problem. But this concern is also very present in the United States, and in particular in California, where a heat wave is hitting the American West hard. Temperatures 10 to 18 degrees higher than seasonal norms are expected in the coming days.

California to ban fossil fuel cars

On site, the authorities are also trying to find solutions to avoid overloading the electricity network, already strained by these extreme conditions. The massive use of air conditioning and household appliances are particularly blamed. Slightly more surprisingly, owners of electric vehicles are asked to delay their recharging as much as possible.

In detail, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) issued a special bulletin this Wednesday asking ” avoid charging electric vehicles while the alert is in effect “. And the organization to continue:

With forecasts of excessive heat across much of the state and western United States, the grid operator again expects high demand for electricity, primarily due to the use of air conditioning , and calls on the public to conserve as much electricity as possible between 4 and 9 p.m.

The announcement comes at a very special time for the Californian state, which has just committed to ending the sale of internal combustion cars by 2035. There are therefore just over 13 years left to adapt local infrastructures. to this new situation.

This paradox has not escaped the notice of elected Republicans opposed to these ecological measures. Senator Tom Cotton mocked on Twitter: California just made electric vehicles mandatory AND asks residents not to charge them between 4 and 9 p.m.? »