How green is your city? 3 things that make L.A. remarkable

For those keeping score, Los Angeles has racked up definite points in improving its green image this year. The city that by 2025 promises to be coal-free and reduce greenhouse gases by 45% has taken more strides with renewable energy sources in the last six months than some cities have done in years. Here are three programs keeping the city on its green track.

California state Sen. Kevin de Leon kicks off the EV ChargAhead initiative.

1. EVs for all? L.A. is trying out a novel EV car-sharing program for low-income residents. The pilot program is made possible by a $1.6 million grant from the California Air Resources Board and legislation by California Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon. Here's how it works: 100 vehicles are located in downtown L.A., Koreatown and in the Pico Union area with charging stations installed too. One has been installed near Main Street and Fourth Street in downtown Los Angeles. The goal is to keep 1,000 gas-powered vehicles off the road and prevent 2,150 tons of CO2 gas each year -- and to install 1,000 publicly available charging stations by 2017.

Susana Reyes, senior analyst in the Mayor's Sustainability Team and Sierra Club board member, told Sierra magazine:

“ 'Not only will it bring car-sharing within reach of hundreds of thousands of Angelenos, but it will also increase investments in L.A. and create jobs.' She also notes that the car sharing program integrates with other regional transportation priorities, providing invaluable first and last mile connections to the subway and light rail and complementing Los Angeles’ Integrated Mobility Hubs."

2. We're No. 1:  In September the city announced plans to lease 160 battery EV vehicles, making it the largest city EV fleet in the U.S. The vehicles will be used for L.A. police, fire, General Services, and Water and Power departments. One hundred of the battery EVs will go to the L.A. Police Department for detectives, investigators and administrative employees.

In addition, the General Services Department will lease another 128 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

But wait, there's more. The mayor's office also says this:

"In addition to the 288 new battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the LAPD is also being loaned a Tesla Model S P85D and a BMW i. These vehicles will be used for testing and research by LAPD technical experts to determine how this technology can support their future needs.  The department has also already purchased 23 electric scooters and 3 electric motorcycles for use by patrol officers."

3. Smart light standards, really: Not all L.A. streetlights are created equal. The new SmartPole streetlights feature energy-saving LED lighting as well as 4G LTE wireless technology. That means better wireless coverage, especially in dense urban areas. One hundred of these are being installed around the city, and 500 are due to be added over the next four years.

“L.A. is a world leader in LED street lights and has more poles than any other city in America," Mayor Eric Garcetti said in November. "We are now taking advantage of previously untapped real estate to give our streets better broadband connectivity and future-ready infrastructure, while generating revenue for the city."