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January 2012

Colby's picture

EVs and Generation Z

Wed, 01/25/2012 - 5:16pm — Colby
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EVs and Generation Z
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As a young EV activist, I am often asked why I don't drive a plug-in vehicle myself. While EVs are an extremely popular topic among people in my age group, few of us drive them. It may seem hypocritical of us, but there are several reasons why EVs haven't penetrated our market...yet.

216 Me and My Parents' Plug-InsAs a young EV activist, I am often asked why I don't drive a plug-in vehicle myself. While EVs are an extremely popular topic among people in my age group, few of us drive them. It may seem hypocritical of us, but there are several reasons why EVs haven't penetrated our market...yet.

Jay's picture

Urge CARB to close yet another ZEV loophole!

Tue, 01/24/2012 - 5:15pm — Jay
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Urge CARB to close yet another ZEV loophole!
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CARB Board Chair Mary Nichols negotiated a special deal which would dramatically weaken the California ZEV program allowing automakers that ‘overcomply’ with the new Federal GHG standards to get away with producing fewer EVs. This sweetheart deal allows an automaker to cut the number of pure electric-drive vehicles by as much as 50% over the 2018 to 2021 timeframe.

CARB Board Chair Mary Nichols negotiated a special deal which would dramatically weaken the California ZEV program allowing automakers that ‘overcomply’ with the new Federal GHG standards so they get away with producing less EVs. This sweetheart deal allows an automaker to cut the number of pure electric-drive vehicles by as much as 50% over the 2018 to 2021 timeframe in exchange for just 2 g/ mile GHG overcompliance during that time. This is a bad deal for California and for the United States!

Tom's picture

Watt Fun: Driving a Nissan Leaf

Tue, 01/17/2012 - 3:34pm — Tom
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Watt Fun: Driving a Nissan Leaf
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Our Nissan Leaf is the most comfortable car we've ever owned. In addition to the obvious electric vehicle advantages, the Leaf is a great car.

In September, we finally got our Nissan Leaf. We had signed up very early in the process, and could have had a Leaf in the spring of 2011, but we decided to put our order on hold until they offered the cold weather package. It was worth the wait!

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Chad's picture

Never Wait for a Charge

Mon, 01/09/2012 - 11:57am — Chad
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Never Wait for a Charge
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We can show gas drivers how to drive many of their miles on electricity, yet still be able to drive anywhere they like without ever draining the battery or waiting for a charge with just two very simple pieces of information.

Our nemesis, range anxiety

Many gas drivers are reluctant to try a plug-in vehicle, and often they are not timid about letting us know it. The most common reason is that they are afraid the battery charge will run out unexpectedly and they will have to wait for a charge--perhaps a tow too, if it was very unexpected. They have heard that range varies (true, that) so they don’t know exactly how far a plug-in will go before this happens.

Chad's picture

Separating Gas Anxiety and Range Anxiety

Sun, 01/01/2012 - 2:14pm — Chad
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Separating Gas Anxiety and Range Anxiety
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“Gas Anxiety” is very common among plug-in vehicle owners.  Although most of us still have access to gas propulsion, we would rather not use it

215 Gas Anxiety

“Gas Anxiety” is very common among plug-in vehicle owners.  Although most of us still have access to gas propulsion, we would rather not use it.  Not when cheaper, cleaner, quieter, smoother, responsive and torquey electric drive using domestic fuel is available! So we go through all sorts of gyrations to maximize our time driving electric.