2006 Archive

GM Plug-in Series Hybrid?

In early November, an LA Times story heralding GM’s resurrection of the plug-in car was carried by newspapers worldwide. GM announced it will show some sort of plug-in car at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Speculation has focused on the possibility of a serial plug-in hybrid. GM made a ..

California’s Proposition 87 - What went wrong?

Proposition 87, the much ballyhooed California Initiative to levy a new oil extraction tax and use the revenue to support alternative fuels, went down to defeat in the recent election. One can’t overstate the impact of the $100 million oil-fueled campaign by opponents. "Higher gas prices. More foreign oil." The ..

RAVs to Keep Rolling in LA

The efforts of LA EV activists to keep the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s fleet of RAV4 EVs on the road appears to have been a success. Nate Vandershaaf, who arrived at one meeting with a bank-certified offer to purchase all 74 RAVs for $1.85 million, caught the ..

Holiday EVangelism

Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars That Will Recharge America by San Francisco Electric Vehicle Association president Sherry Boschert has been published and is beginning to appear in bookstores. Sherry spoke before an enthusiastic crowd at the San Francisco Green Festival in November. She will be traveling to promote the book beginning in November. If your chapter can arrange an event with Sherry, you’ll have a very informative meeting. Orders and contact information at sherryboschert.com.

Evidence for Electrics Piles Up at ZEVTech

Plug In America and the Electric Auto Association were well represented and well received at the California Air Resources Board Zero Emission Vehicle Technical Review in Sacramento. This three day event was convened to present information to CARB staff as it considers options for the ZEV mandate in 2007. Presenters included ..

LADWP RAV4 EVs Win Reprieve

In Los Angeles, the Department of Water and Power, one of the nation’s largest public power agencies, is reconsidering its decision to return its fleet of RAV4 EVs. As was the case with the unsuccessful attempt to save Pasadena’s Nissan HyperMinis, resident EV advocates have joined with DWP staff supportive of the electric vehicles to bring the issue to the attention of the Board. The return of the EV fleet is on hold for the moment.

EV Book and Movie Stocking-Stuffers

November will see the publication of "Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars That Will Recharge America" by San Francisco Electric Vehicle Association president Sherry Boschert. She will be traveling to promote the book beginning in November. If your chapter can arrange an event with Sherry, you’ll have a very informative meeting. Advance ..

Who Killed the Electric Car?

It's NOT DEAD YET reply Tesla and Pasadena

Since my last report, the success of the film "Who Killed the Electric Car?" set the stage for the dramatic unveiling of the Tesla Motors Roadster in Santa Monica on July 19th. By mid August, the film had grossed over $1 million in its theatrical release, thanks in no small part ..