Isn't the point of the article that it has little real impact, because in most cases it shifts the CO2 production from the car to the power plant? How long will it take until most energy needs in North America are met by renewables?

change our zoning laws, and encourage denser living spaces that are built for people instead of cars, but we have to recognize this will take decades.

If we wanted, we could redesign our cities for public transit and walkability in short order. The fundamental problem is that most North Americans don't want the changes you propose, and that is why our CO2 footprint is three times the world average.