Plug In America Press Releases

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27-Mar-08 - Legislative Steps Needed Toward Zero-Emission Vehicles | pdf version
27-Mar-08 - California Regulators Eviscerate Clean-Car Mandate Again – a 70% Drop | pdf version
24-Mar-08 - Press Conference at Rally for Vote on Gas-Free Cars
22-Mar-08 - Drivers Living the Clean-Car Dream
17-Mar-08 - Plug In America Urges Arnold Schwarzenegger to Revive Electric Car Production
13-Feb-08 - Plug In America Awards Formula Hybrid Grants to Student Teams
13-Jun-07 - Plug In America Wins $142,000 Grant to Support Formula Hybrid Competition
9-Jun-07 - Plug In American Celebrates Anniversary, Sends Film, Book to Congress
7-Jan-07 - Plug In America Applauds GM Plug-in Hybrid Announcement
16-Oct-06 - Offer to Purchase Unwanted LA DWP Electric Cars
24-Aug-06 - Nissan Crushes Electric Cars Despite Demands to Keep Them
22-Feb-06 - PIA offers Bush a lift and calls for Auto Summit
15-Feb-06 - SF Supervisors Call for Plug-in Hybrids
1-Sep-05 - DontCrush Victory, Launch of Plug In America

March 27, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Plug In America
P.O. Box 1174
El Segundo, CA 90245-6174
www.PlugInAmerica.org

Contact: Kathryn A. Lynch
916-443-0202
lynch@pdqnet.com

Legislative Steps Needed Toward Zero-Emission Vehicles
Today the California Air Resources Board (CARB) revised its Zero Emission Vehicle Program and weakened the state’s drive toward affordable, gasoline-free cars.

Plug In America today calls on California legislators to take over the charge of a pollution-free future in the wake of air regulators’ shameful weakening of the ZEV Program. CARB voted to require automakers to produce only 5,357 zero-emission vehicles in 2012-2014 (fewer than an average of 397 zero-emission vehicles per year per automaker, and a 70% drop from the previous regulations) while CARB considers a major overhaul of all clean-car regulations in the state.

California State Legislators can help fill the gap while CARB deliberates. Plug In America calls on lawmakers to take the following actions:

• Fund creation of a Battery Electric Vehicle Partnership, similar to the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership, to promote electric cars and plug-in hybrids.

“Electrification of the vehicle fleet is the only way the state will meet its 2020 and 2050 goals for greenhouse gas reduction,” said Plug In America Executive Director Chelsea Sexton. This transition could be accelerated by providing incentives for consumers and vehicle manufacturers and by setting standards for vehicle fleets. Both of these strategies can be accomplished through judicious use of AB118 funds, which include $120 million/year to be allocated toward commercialization of alternative fuels and efficient vehicle technologies.

• Pass legislation to require both public and private fleets to buy efficient vehicles that save money in the long run. Like compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), the up-front cost is higher, but greater efficiency guarantees cost savings in the long run. Push fleets to follow the cost-efficient path, and offer financial assistance in the early years, if needed, as fleet owners adjust to the new regulation.

• Provide state assistance (perhaps some of the AB118 funds) to partner with either consumers or automakers and remove some of the risk associated with state-of-the-art car batteries. State regulations require a 15-year or 150,000-mile warranty on hybrid batteries. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can get 100+ miles per gallon using newer lithium-ion batteries, but these batteries have not been on the market long enough to meet the current 15-year warranty, which is delaying introduction of plug-in hybrids. The state could offer an “insurance” program for batteries beyond the first 7 years of use at very little financial risk to the state, giving automakers and consumers the confidence to move forward. The program could sunset in a few years once the longevity of lithium batteries is established.

• Shift funding from programs to establish hydrogen fueling stations to programs incentivizing battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Hydrogen fuel-cell cars will not be commercialized for decades, if ever, and so won’t be ready in time to deal with global warming, while plug-in vehicles could be commercialized today. Funds currently being spent on hydrogen are a waste in this regard, especially in a period of state budget limitations, because they weaken the state’s ability to move toward more-viable plug-in vehicles.

“Plug In America looks forward to working with California legislators to support the development of electric-drive vehicles” in order to help the state meet its goals of reducing greenhouse gases, reducing air pollution, and reducing petroleum use,” Sexton said.

Plug In America, a non-profit, advocates the use of plug-in vehicles powered by cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity.

March 27, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Plug In America
P.O. Box 1174
El Segundo, CA 90245-6174
www.PlugInAmerica.org

Media Contact: Zan Dubin Scott
310-392-1130 (o); 310-383-0956 (c)
zan@zdscommunications.com

California Regulators Eviscerate Clean-Car Mandate Again – a 70% Drop
Today the California Air Resources Board (CARB) revised its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program, eliminating 70% of previous requirements to produce zero-emission vehicles in 2012-2014.

Plug In America calls on California legislators to take over the charge of a pollution-free future in the wake of air regulators’ shameful weakening of the ZEV Program. CARB voted to require automakers to produce only 5,357 zero-emission vehicles in 2012-2014 while it considers a major overhaul of all clean-car regulations in the state. The new regulations require less than an average of 297 zero-emission vehicles per year per automaker, which is a 70% drop from the previous regulations, and results in a loss of at least 18,000 plug-in hybrids in the same period.

Plug In America’s efforts over the past several years to educate CARB staff and its members produced several minor improvements in CARB’s revision of the ZEV Program. Plug In America supporters added their influence in recent weeks, during which citizens from all 50 U.S. states and 20 other countries contacted CARB and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, clamoring for cars that can run on electricity.

Highlights of today’s revisions to the ZEV Program include:

• CARB rejected the staff’s proposal to shrink the number of ZEVs required of automakers in 2012-2014 from 25,000 down to 2,500 vehicles, and instead set the target at 5,357 vehicles – an improvement from the low numbers staff proposed, yet only 70% of current regulations.

• CARB continued its favoritism toward million-dollar hydrogen vehicles over more realistic battery electric vehicles. Under the new regulations, automakers would have to make at least two battery electric vehicles to get the same credits as one hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle – which dissuades automakers from producing the battery-electric vehicles that consumers would like to drive. CARB gives more credit for the least viable technology – hydrogen – at the expense of more affordable, technologically ready battery electric vehicles.

• CARB heard our demand for full transparency in reporting how automakers meet the regulations, so that the public can verify compliance.

Plug In America’s campaign brought national attention to the demand for vehicles that run on cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity. At the group’s request, former CIA Director R. James Woolsey testified at the CARB meeting on the wastefulness of diverting resources to hydrogen fuel-cell programs and the need to get plug-in cars on the road soon in order to reduce U.S. dependence on oil and to increase national security. Former Secretary of State George Shultz and former Deputy Under Secretary of Education Peter R. Greer, both of whom served under President Ronald Reagan, wrote to Gov. Schwarzenegger imploring him to help get more electric vehicles on the market.

“As the only organization truly focused on battery electric vehicles, we brought electric cars back into the debate by bringing our concerns to the CARB staff and board, and to the press and the public,” said Plug In America Executive Director Chelsea Sexton.

“We’ve got more to do,” she added. Plug In America will seek legislative assistance to close the gaps in CARB’s plan. “Judicious use of the $120 million per year to be allocated under AB118 for the commercialization of alternative fuels and efficient vehicle technologies could help jump-start the drive toward plug-in vehicles that stalled with CARB at the wheel today.”

Plug In America, a non-profit, advocates the use of plug-in vehicles powered by cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity.

March 24, 2008

MEDIA ALERT

MEDIA CONTACT: Zan Dubin Scott
O: (310) 392-1130
C: (310) 383-0956

Plug In America
P.O. Box 1174
El Segundo, CA 90245

PRESS CONFERENCE AT RALLY FOR VOTE ON GAS-FREE CARS

Environmental, Business, Government Leaders Urge California to Step On It
Rally to Feature All-Electric Cars

Plug In America, the organization leading the nation’s electric vehicle movement, will hold a press conference and rally on Wednesday (3/26) to urge California air regulators to resuscitate electric car production when they revise the enfeebled Zero Emission Vehicle Program on Thursday.

Media are invited to hear last-minute forecasts of how the California Air Resources Board may vote on the revision, and the consequences of that vote.

Speakers at the press conference will include R. James Woolsey, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency; Ze’ev Drori, CEO of Tesla Motors; Chelsea Sexton, executive director of Plug In America and a key figure in “Who Killed the Electric Car?”, and representatives of Sierra Club California.

They will urge the Air Resources Board to require automakers to produce tens of thousands of electric cars—instead of merely hundreds—when the board votes to revise its historic Zero Emission Vehicle Program. The rally will feature several electric vehicles—including Tesla sports cars—and dozens of supporters like those who have sent faxes and emails to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger from every state in the nation and 20 other countries asking him to help create a future free of pollution and full of petroleum-free cars.

"Consumers around the world have weighed in, urging the Air Resources Board to hold firm to its requirement of tens of thousands of zero-emission vehicles, not hundreds,” Sexton says. “The board must stop blocking progress and lead again, or it will cease to be relevant when the market impels automakers to produce the cars that the board is proposing to abandon.”

DATE: Wednesday, March 26, 2008

TIME: Press Conference and Rally: 11 a.m. (rally will continue throughout the afternoon)

LOCATION: Front Courtyard, California EPA Building, 1001 I St., Sacramento, CA 95812

PARTICIPANTS: R. James Woolsey, former director, Central Intelligence Agency
Ze’ev Drori, CEO, Tesla Motors
Chelsea Sexton, executive director, Plug In America
Sierra Club California
Rainforest Action Network

RALLY: Dozens of clean-car advocates, environmentalists and all-electric vehicles including: Tesla Roadsters, Toyota RAV4 EVs, Ford Rangers, the eBox by AC Propulsion and the Zero X from Zero Motorcycles.

NOTE: For Plug In America’s previous press release, its letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and list of letter co-signers, go to http://www.pluginamerica.org/press-room.shtm.

Download press release PDF version

March 22, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Plug In America
P.O. Box 1174
El Segundo, CA 90245-6174

Contact: Zan Dubin Scott
www.PlugInAmerica.org
310-392-1130 (o); 310-383-0956 (c)
zan@zdscommunications.com

DRIVERS LIVING THE CLEAN-CAR DREAM

While clean-car advocates have their eyes on a March 27 vote by California regulators that could revive electric cars, some drivers already are living the dream of a car that runs on sunshine.

They're the lucky ones who still have some of the electric cars that were produced by automakers between 1996 and 2003, as required under California's Zero Emission Vehicles Program. When the California Air Resources Board eased the regulations in 2003, the automakers stopped producing electric cars. The board is set to revise the program again on March 27, which could put gasoline-free vehicles back into dealers' showrooms.

Many of the electric vehicle (EV) owners have installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on their homes or property to get what they call the EV-PV synergy -- driving on electricity, and producing electricity from sunshine. And never buying gasoline.

Norma and Alan Williamson of Cerritos estimate that their EV-PV arrangement avoids approximately 40,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year. They recently sent a letter to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of a campaign organized by Plug In America asking him to speed up the drive toward zero-emission vehicles. "We are … helping to meet your goals in the fight against global warming by driving an electric car," Ms. Williamson wrote.

Marc Geller, a resident of San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district, wanted off of oil for political and environmental reasons. "After I got an electric car, I realized that I could make my own fuel. Solar PV could power not only my house, but my car. Solar was always attractive, but having an electric car pushed me over the hump" and motivated him to install solar PV, he says.

Tim and Vibeke Hastrup of Granite Bay in Northern California say that living the EV-PV lifes does not involve sacrifice. "We're not unique," says Tim. "Most folks we've talked to would love to join us plugging in," if only the automakers would offer electric cars again.

Multiple studies show that driving on electricity is cleaner even if owners don’t have solar panels. As solar power grows, many more Americans could be living the EV-PV dream -- if only automakers offer them the choice to buy plug-in cars.

Read more profiles of EV-PV Americans at http://www.pluginamerica.org/real-ev.shtm.
Interviews can be arranged upon request.

Download press release PDF version

March 17, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Zan Dubin Scott
O: (310) 392-1130
C: (310) 383-0956

Plug In America Urges Arnold Schwarzenegger to Revive Electric Car Production
45 States and 13 Other Countries Co-Sign Letter Sent to Save the Electric Car

Plug In America, the organization leading the nation’s electric vehicle movement, today called upon Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to live up to his vow to “turn back the clock on pollution” by urging California air regulators to revive their historic Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) program immediately.

In a letter co-signed by environmental groups, business leaders and celebrities (attached), Plug In America praised Schwarzenegger for the vow he made in 2006 when signing California’s Million Solar Roofs Plan, an initiative he said would be tantamount to taking one million cars off the road.

“Now, how about putting one million electric cars on the road?” inquires the letter, delivered to the California capitol as hundreds of faxes echoing its sentiments, sent by supporters from across the nation and 13 other countries were flooding the Governor’s office.

The letter was co-signed by actor/director Peter Horton, executive producer of “Gray’s Anatomy”; R. James Woolsey, former Director, Central Intelligence Agency; Ze’ev Drori, CEO of Tesla Motors, the electric car company; Rainforest Action Network and dozens of other environmentalists and businesses.

Plug In America, a California-based nonprofit organization, advocates for the use of plug-in hybrid vehicles as well as all-electric cars powered by cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity. Many of its board members appear in the 2006 documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car?”

Its letter—which notes that President Bush this month urged Americans to “get off oil” and drive electric vehicles—precedes a March 27 vote by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to revise its ZEV program. The regulation once proudly called for 10 percent of vehicles sold in California to be zero emission and resulted in thousands of electric vehicles on the road. The revision upon which the board will soon vote, however, whispers for a comparative handful of these cars going forward.

The current proposal “will profoundly weaken the program again instead of propelling our country toward a pollution-free future,” Plug In America’s letter states.

In fact, the proposal would merely require each of America’s major automakers to produce about 150 ZEVs per year through 2015—fewer than the number required under the mandate when the electric car was killed the first time in 2003, according to Plug In America Executive Director Chelsea Sexton.

“Governor Schwarzenegger showed with the Million Solar Homes Plan that alternatives are possible when the political will is there,” Sexton said on Monday. “With gas at $4 a gallon and the threat of disastrous effects of climate change, we need the Governor to lead again by asking our state regulators to get more electric cars on the road now.”

Woolsey, who appeared with Sexton in “Who Killed the Electric Car?” added: “Relying on foreign oil leaves us deeply vulnerable as a country, so the availability of plug-in vehicles is of paramount importance to national security. As the birthplace of the modern electric car, California should be leading the way.”

Under the Clean Air Act, California is the only state allowed to set tougher limits on vehicle emissions than federal regulators, the letter notes. And, 10 other states have adopted California's emission limits. Thus, “the board's vote has national implications,” it stresses.

The communication also cites a poll showing that consumers overwhelmingly want cleaner vehicles such as the fully electric sports car that Schwarzenegger himself is scheduled to receive within months.

“As you prepare to take delivery of your electric Tesla, we ask you to support a stronger Zero Emission Vehicle program that will help us all turn back the clock on pollution,” Plug In America urges. “We ask you to save the electric car.”

Plug In America’s letter also is signed by “Who Killed the Electric Car?” director Chris Paine. He will be filming the air board’s March 27 vote for his sequel, “Who Saved the Electric Car.”

For photographs of several electric vehicle owners and drivers—who charge their cars with electricity generated by the solar panels on their homes—go to http://www.pluginamerica.org/real-ev.

About Plug In America:
Plug In America is a nonprofit organization advocating the use of plug-in cars, trucks, and SUVs powered by cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity to reduce our nation's dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. www.PlugInAmerica.org.

To interview Chelsea Sexton, R. James Woolsey or other Plug In America board members, contact Zan Dubin Scott, Plug In America: O: (310) 392-1130; C: (310) 383-0956; zan@pluginamerica.org.

####

February 13, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday February 13, 2008

Contact:
Jay Friedland, Legislative Director, Plug In America
(831) 420-1042, jay@pluginamerica.org

Wynne Washburn, Deputy Director, Formula Hybrid
(603) 646-6580, wynne.washburn@formula-hybrid.org

PLUG IN AMERICA AWARDS GRANTS
TO SUPPORT FORMULA HYBRID COMPETITION

San Diego, CA: Plug In America, the plug-in car advocacy organization, has awarded grants of $12,500 each to student teams at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Irvine to design, build and race plug-in hybrid cars in the Formula Hybrid International Competition, May 5-7, 2008 in Loudon, NH. The funding for the grants, intended to encourage engineering innovation among California college and university students, is from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

"We are extremely proud to make these grants to outstanding student teams at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Irvine," said Jay Friedland, Legislative Director of Plug In America. "Formula Hybrid encourages the next generation of engineers to explore and experience the benefits of electricity use for transportation. Hybrids have already demonstrated its advantages--imagine what it can do with plug-in hybrids and beyond."

"We are delighted to have two great California schools join the Formula Hybrid event," said its Director Douglas Fraser, a research engineer at the Dartmouth College Thayer School of Engineering, which organizes the competition. "Students are incredibly creative in coming up with novel solutions which push the envelope. I am sure the new teams from UC Irvine and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo will add a great additional dimension to the competition."

"I am excited to lead a young energetic Formula Hybrid team in a project which embodies Cal Poly's "Learn by Doing" philosophy," said Justin Jang, Cal Poly SLO Formula Hybrid Team Leader. "With the support of the Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Tilton Engineering, and now Plug In America, we hope that this project will help lead us towards more efficient modes of transportation."

PLUG IN AMERICA AWARDS FORMULA HYBRID GRANTS

Formula Hybrid is an offshoot of the highly successful Formula SAEÂ®, a 27-year-old program sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers in which collegiate teams design, build and compete with formula racecars. Formula Hybrid originated in 2003 when Dartmouth engineering students began researching their first hybrid racecar in hopes of entering it in that year's Formula SAE competition. They developed a hybrid competition upon learning that the Formula SAE rules had been changed, just that year, to disallow hybrids.

The competition, which will be held this year at the New Hampshire International Speedway, is a sort of educational hybrid itself, bringing together applications of mechanical and electrical engineering. Both the SAE and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers are sponsors of the program, along with Plug In America and major automakers including Toyota, DaimlerChrysler and General Motors.

Under the program, students design and build an open-wheel, single-seat car that must conform to a strict set of rules, or formulas, that emphasize, encourage, and promote drivetrain innovation and fuel efficiency. In fact, a Formula Hybrid vehicle must use at least 15 percent less gasoline than a comparable standard Formula SAE racecar operated under the same conditions, a goal surpassed by many of the entries. Another guideline involves recycling: unlike Formula SAE, Formula Hybrid teams are encouraged to incorporate used racecar parts rather than build everything from scratch. Many teams see the Formula Hybrid competition as a perfect second-year project for students.

About Formula Hybrid:
The Formula Hybrid International Competition, created in 2006, invites teams of undergraduate and graduate students to design, build, and race hybrid formula racecars. The event is organized by the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. Founded in 1867, Thayer School unites engineering into a single, flexible department to facilitate innovative research and instruction. www.Formula-Hybrid.org <http://www.formula-hybrid.org>

http://pluginamerica.com/images/formulahybrid2.jpg
Image caption: Formula Hybrid teams ready for their initial trials Copyright 2007 Jay Friedland

http://pluginamerica.com/images/formulahybrid3.jpg
Image caption: Embry-Riddle Formula Hybrid team set to go Copyright 2007 Jay Friedland

# # #

June 13, 2007

For Immediate Release
Wednesday June 13, 2007

Contact:
Chelsea Sexton
Plug In America
(310) 948-2451
chelsea@pluginamerica.org

Jay Friedland
Plug In America
(831) 420-1042
jay@pluginamerica.org

Wynne Washburn
Formula Hybrid
(603) 646-6580
wynne.washburn@formula-hybrid.org

Plug In America Wins $142,000 Grant to Support Formula Hybrid Competition

Student groups can apply for a $10,000 Plug In America Formula Hybrid grant here at http://formulahybrid.pluginamerica.com. The application deadline is October 22, 2007

Fontana, California: Plug In America today announced that it has received a $142,000 grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to support the participation of teams from California in the Formula Hybrid competition. Formula Hybrid challenges teams of college and university students to design, build, and race formula racecars with electric-gas hybrid and plug-in hybrid drive trains.

Plug In America was one of just forty grant recipients out of 200 applicants for $25 million allocated last year by the California legislature to encourage the early adoption of alternative fuels in California.

"We are pleased and proud to receive this grant from the California Air Resources Board; it really shows how much our organization has achieved in advancing plug-in vehicles," said Chelsea Sexton, Executive Director of Plug In America. "Formula Hybrid encourages the next generation of engineers to explore the benefits of using electricity to make petroleum use the exception in transportation, not the rule. Hybrids have shown the advantages of using electric drive in cars--imagine what they can do with plug-in hybrids and beyond."

"We are delighted to have Plug In America and the California Air Resources Board sponsor Formula Hybrid and support bringing additional teams from California to our event," said Formula Hybrid Director and Dartmouth Thayer School of Engineering Research Engineer, Douglas Fraser. "Students are incredibly creative in coming up with novel solutions which push the envelope. I sure the new teams from California will add a great additional dimension to the competition."

Formula Hybrid is an offshoot of the highly successful Formula SAEÂ® program, established in 1981 and sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers, which invites collegiate teams to design, build, and compete with formula racecars. The first annual Formula Hybrid International Competition was held May 1-3, 2007, at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, NH.

Formula Hybrid had its beginnings in 2003 when Dartmouth engineering students began researching their first hybrid racecar in hopes of entering it in that year's Formula SAE competition. However, the Formula SAE competition rules changed that year to disallow hybrid entries, thus inspiring the students to develop a hybrid competition. The competition itself is a sort of educational hybrid, bringing together applications of both mechanical and electrical engineering. Both the SAE and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers are sponsors of the program, along with major automakers including Toyota and DaimlerChrysler.

Students design and build an open-wheel, single seat car that must conform to a strict set of rules--formulas--that emphasize, encourage, and promote drivetrain innovation and fuel efficiency. In fact, a Formula Hybrid vehicle must use at least 15 percent less gasoline than a comparable "regular" Formula SAE racecar operated under the same conditions, a goal surpassed by many of the entries. Another guideline involves recycling: Unlike the Formula SAE competition, Formula Hybrid teams are encouraged to incorporate used parts of other racecars rather than build everything from scratch. Many teams see the Formula Hybrid competition as a perfect second year project for their students, especially after competing in events at Formula SAE West here in Fontana, California this week.

In addition to sponsoring Formula Hybrid, Plug In America will be making direct grants of up to $10,000 to teams from four California universities and colleges so that they can design, build, and enter the Formula Hybrid competition next year. Teams who wish to apply for these grants can contact Plug In America via email: formulahybrid@pluginamerica.org

The Formula Hybrid International Competition created in 2006, invites teams of undergraduate and graduate students to design, build, and race hybrid formula racecars. The event is organized by Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. Founded in 1867, Thayer School unites engineering into a single, flexible department to facilitate innovative research and instruction. www.Formula-Hybrid.org <http://www.formula-hybrid.org>

Student groups can apply for a $10,000 Plug In America Formula Hybrid grant here at http://formulahybrid.pluginamerica.com. The application deadline is October 22, 2007

Images for this press release may be found at:

http://pluginamerica.com/images/formulahybrid1.jpg
Image caption: High Voltage Ultracapacitors used in a Formula Hybrid racecar Image copyright: Copyright 2007 Jay Friedland

http://pluginamerica.com/images/formulahybrid2.jpg
Image caption: Formula Hybrid teams ready for their initial trials Image copyright: Copyright 2007 Jay Friedland

http://pluginamerica.com/images/formulahybrid3.jpg
Image caption: Embry-Riddle Formula Hybrid team set to go
Image copyright: Copyright 2007 Jay Friedland

June 9, 2007

PLUG IN AMERICA CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY, SENDS FILM, BOOK TO CONGRESS
Plug In America celebrates its second anniversary this month, and has sent each member of the U.S. Congress and every U.S. state governor a DVD of the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? and a copy of the book Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars That Will Recharge America.

Electric cars and plug-in hybrids have taken center stage among political strategies to wean the U.S. transportation sector off entrenched petroleum dependence, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Plug In America.

Initially called DontCrush.com: The Campaign To Save Electric Cars, Plug In America was founded as a chapter of the Electric Auto Association on June 2, 2005 by electric car drivers who were outraged that car companies were cancelling leases on electric vehicles and literally crushing them instead of selling them to eager buyers. The drivers organized campaigns that saved over 1,000 cars from destruction, cars that are still on the road proving the readiness of electric drive technology. The group evolved into a dynamic educational organization that is influencing the auto industry, politicians, and clean-air regulators.

Plug In America is a non-profit organization advocating the use of plug-in cars, trucks, and SUVs powered by cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity to reduce our nation's dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. www.PlugInAmerica.org
# # #

January 7, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Chelsea Sexton, Executive Director, Plug In America
310-948-2451 / www.pluginamerica.com

Plug In America Applauds GM Plug-in Hybrid Announcement

Plug In America, known for its advocacy of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), applauds today's announcement by General Motors to re-enter the race to create non-polluting vehicles with its next-generation electric vehicle, the Chevrolet "Volt". Technically a serial PHEV, the Volt will have a range of 40-miles per charge, but a total range of 640 miles when supplemented by the small on-board generator. This combination provides the exciting performance and environmental benefits of an electric vehicle, better range than today's hybrids, all while using a fraction of the gasoline.

GM once led the industry in electric drive technology and zero-pollution vehicles; their decision to discontinue the EV1 program and crush the popular vehicles, and subsequent decision to ignore hybrids in favor of developing fuel cell technology has caused them to fall far behind their Japanese competitors. In particular, Toyota's halo effect from the Prius has been helping them close the gap on the number one automaker.

"This is the most intriguing move General Motors has made in a decade," according to Chelsea Sexton, Executive Director of PIA and a former GM EV1 employee whose story is featured in the 2006 documentary, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" "It's a moonshot, but that's exactly what GM needs if they're serious about reinvigorating that company- and it's a very American value to embrace the underdog."

It should be noted that as recently as a year ago, no major automaker would publicly acknowledge the current viability of electric drive technology; today, GM is expected to be joined in its PHEV announcement when Toyota and Ford unveil their own PHEVs. "To move an industry is the ultimate example of what can be accomplished on a grassroots level" said Sexton. "This is what's possible when consumers ask for what they want, and refuse to settle for less." GM's announcement did not confirm a date when we can see these vehicles in the showroom, and in order to get the Volt from concept to showroom, consumers must keep asking. As Sexton noted from Detroit, "Ultimately, we're going to judge all of the automakers not on what they say, but what they do."

Plug In America advocates the use of plug-in cars, trucks and SUVs powered by cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity to reduce our nation's dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment.

October 16, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
$1,850,000 OFFER TO PURCHASE UNWANTED L.A.D.W.P. ELECTRIC CARS
When: 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, Oct. 17
Where: 111 N. Hope St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact: Chelsea Sexton 310-948-2451

The cast of "Who Killed the Electric Car" and Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti will present a $1.85-million offer to purchase the L.A. Dept. of Water and Power's (DWP) fleet of 74 Toyota RAV4 Electric Vehicles on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. The offer, intended to keep the zero-emission EVs on the road, will be made at the DWP, 111 N. Hope St., Los Angeles.

Leases on the DWP's 74 EVs have or are about to expire and unless the utility renews its leases or arranges for the cars' purchase, they will be returned to Toyota, where their fate is uncertain. Toyota agreed last year to keep most of its leased fleet EVs in service, but earlier destroyed more than 500 EVs, as detailed in the documentary featuring Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, Peter Horton and the clean-car advocates presenting the offer to DWP.

DWP officials will be addressing the issue at a regular meeting on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. The cast of "Who Killed the Electric Car" is presenting the offer on behalf of a Colorado clean-car activist who raised the money privately.

"These are the cleanest cars on the road today, and we want to keep them on the road," said Paul Scott, who appears in the documentary. "If the DWP agrees to re-lease them, fine. If they do not, selling them to private individuals will continue to ensure their air quality benefits."

In California, 6,500 premature deaths and 1.7 million cases of respiratory illness result annually from smog and soot-related exposure, according to the California Air Resources Board. "Two-thirds of those deaths and illnesses are happening right here in the Los Angeles Basin," said Scott.

Of 5,000 EVs manufactured for California over the last decade, only 1,000 remain on the road. GM, Ford and Nissan, as well as Toyota, have crushed thousands of the vehicles. While some DWP officials contend that the EVs in their fleet no longer meet their needs, the utility has leased more than 300 of the vehicles since 2001. The remaining 74 have been driven no more than an average of 25,000 miles and virtually all are in excellent driving condition.

Environmental concerns as well as the desire to earn profits motiviated Colorado clean-car activist, Nate Vanderschaaf, to raise the money for the cars. In the past few months, three RAV4EVs sold on eBay for more than $55,000 each. These cars had been purchased for $30,000 apiece, after rebates. "I'm out for profit, and the film convinced me of how popular theses cars are," Vanderschaaf said. "But if the DWP refuses our offer and decides instead to sell them at auction to the highest bidder, I'd be even happier. My number one objective is to keep these clean cars in use."

August 24, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nissan Crushes Working Electric Vehicles Despite Demands to Keep Them on the Road

Plug In America condemns Nissan for confiscating eleven Pasadena Hypermini Electric Vehicles (EVs) despite the fact that the Mayor and many citizens wanted to keep the cars on the road and in the City's fleet.

Wednesday, August 23rd, Nissan sent transport trucks to Pasadena's city yards where the eleven Hyperminicars were summarily loaded up and hauled away. Nissan's confiscation of the Hypermini electric cars and resulting controversy ironically parallels events highlighted in the current film release of "Who Killed the Electric Car?" which screened in Pasadena as Wednesday's events unfolded. As with GM's destruction of their EV1 electric vehicle chronicled in the film, Nissan insisted that Pasadena return the cars for crushing and destruction in spite of Pasadena's explicit desire to continue using these futuristic zero emission vehicles.

Unlike Ford and Toyota, who stopped corporate crushing practices when confronted by EV advocates, Nissan has taken up General Motors' despicable practice of destroying perfectly functional pollution-free cars; cars that Pasadena used extensively at the Rose Bowl, Art Center functions, parking enforcement, and customer service calls.

Nissan's timing could not be worse. The media and the American public are finally starting to envision plug-in vehicles as a viable solution to global warming and national security problems. In spite of this, Nissan is stubbornly moving to kill its own EV program.

Despite the recent introduction of the Tesla Electric Roadster and recent foreign company announcements of planned EV imports to the American market, the six major car manufacturers have nearly succeeded in their attempt to "crush" any evidence of electric cars that were initially manufactured to satisfy the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate passed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Ironically, as the Air Resources Board starts its regular review cycle of the ZEV mandate many voices are calling for renewed emphasis on plug-in vehicles as a path to near term air quality gains, but the major auto-makers continue, not only to ignore this important technology, but to actively remove working examples from California's roadways. As noted last week in a letter to Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan America, Plug In America, hopes that Nissan will reconsider and do the right thing for all of us who breathe the air in California, by keeping these zero emission cars on the road.

For more information, please call Paul Scott at 310-403-1303 or 310-399-5997

February 22, 2006

CONTACT: Marc Geller 415.861.7278

PLUG IN AMERICA OFFERS BUSH A LIFT, CALLS FOR AUTO SUMMIT

Plug in America is offering President Bush a ride in the car of his dreams – today – and asking him to make them a reality for lots more Americans within 18 months.

Some members of Plug In America already drive plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), a clean, fuel-efficient technology that the President has praised repeatedly in speeches since he declared America to be "addicted to oil" in his State of the Union address.

"We urge President Bush to hold a summit with American auto manufacturers to lay out a concrete path to produce America's first plug-in hybrid fleet within the next 18 months," said Plug In America co-founder Marc Geller. "Daimler/Chrysler and independent American efforts already have put PHEVs on the road. Presidential leadership can make this a priority."

Plug-in hybrid technology offers drivers a way to fuel up with cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity. Adding additional batteries and a standard plug to today's popular hybrid vehicles can make driving without gasoline a reality in the near term.

Plug In America, a chapter of the Electric Auto Association advocating the use of electricity for cars, trucks and SUVs, praised the President's enthusiasm for plug-in hybrid vehicles in speeches Monday at Johnson Controls in Milwaukee and again Tuesday at NREL in Golden, CO.

Calling plug-in hybrids "the next generation of hybrid vehicles," the President explained in common sense terms how this technology can benefit the nation and consumers: "Start picturing what I'm talking about: you've got your car, you pull in, you plug it right in the wall…The plug-in hybrid, they estimate, can initially go 40 miles on electricity alone. So you've got a lot of folks living in cities like Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who generally don't drive more than 40 miles a day. Therefore, within 40 miles you'll be on electricity and using no gasoline.…And now all of a sudden you're beginning to see the effects of this important technology on our national security and on our economic security. But, more important, for the pocketbook of our consumers."

President Bush joins a diverse and growing chorus of plug-in hybrid vehicle supporters, including national security experts such as ex-CIA Director James Woolsey and Frank Gaffney, as well as the Rainforest Action Network and other environmental organizations.

February 15, 2006

CONTACT: Marc Geller
415.861.7278

SAN FRANCISCO SUPERVISORS CALL FOR PLUG-IN HYBRIDS

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors yesterday joined a growing chorus of government and industry leaders promoting the next generation of hybrid cars that can be plugged in to run for longer stretches on clean electricity.

The board unanimously passed a resolution urging city administrators to purchase plug-in hybrids for the city fleet and committing the City and County of San Francisco to support other governmental efforts to promote plug-ins.

Automakers are not yet offering plug-in hybrids for sale. Prototypes built by the Mountain View-based non-profit California Cars Initiative (www.calcars.org) and others have shown that adding a few more batteries to a Toyota Prius and plugging the car into a regular wall socket overnight increases the fuel efficiency to over 100 miles per gallon of gasoline plus a small amount of cheap electricity. If drivers don't plug in, the cars operate like normal hybrids, getting around 45-50 miles per gallon.

The resolution ushered through the Board by Supervisors Chris Daly and Fiona Ma puts San Francisco in league with a coalition of more than 100 cities, public utilities, businesses, and public policy groups known as Plug In Partners (www.pluginpartners.org). To show automakers that there is demand for plug-in hybrids, the coalition is amassing tentative commitments, or "soft orders" for fleet purchases. The city of Austin, Texas, has already placed such soft orders for 600 plug-in hybrids.

"Plug-in hybrids are the next green step for today's wildly popular hybrid electric vehicles. Now it's time for the auto industry must step up to the plate and deliver the gasoline-optional vehicles that Americans want," said Marc Geller of the national groups Plug In America, a chapter of the Electric Auto Association.

September 1, 2005:

CONTACT:
Chelsea Sexton 310-948-2451, Media@DontCrush.com
Paul Scott 310-399-5997 paul.scott@DontCrush.com

DontCrush.com Announces Toyota Victory, Launches Plug In America Former CIA Director joins auto engineers and advocates to encourage automakers to produce petroleum-free, pollution-free cars

Los Angeles: In an international telephone press conference today DontCrush.com, lauded Toyota's recent decision to keep its zero-emission, battery-electric RAV 4 SUVs on the road. Joined by a former CIA-director, an ex-GM employee, an EV engineer, and the Southern California Edison Electric Transportation director, DontCrush.com is declaring a victory in its efforts to save America's last remaining petroleum-free, pollution-free vehicles.

DontCrush.com's success in saving Toyota's RAV4 EV, the Ford Th!nk City EV and Ford Ranger EV from the crusher while bringing national attention to General Motors' decision to destroy its popular EV1s, have inspired the group to help America move towards an oil-independent future with Plug In America, a new advocacy organization launched today. Plug In America is a chapter of the Electric Auto Association. The organization will work with industry, environmental and national security organizations, and concerned citizens to revive plug-in auto production and give Americans the freedom to choose cars, trucks, and SUVs that are powered by cleaner, cheaper, domestic sources of energy.

Following a three-month campaign, Toyota agreed to stop crushing its RAV4 EV, and allow satisfied customers to lease or buy their zero-emission SUVs. Electric vehicle advocates, long dismissed as "fanatics" or "hobbyists" by automakers, are in fact speaking for the majority of Americans concerned about national security, public health, rising gas prices, and global warming. A recent Reuters survey found that most Americans believe it is patriotic to buy a fuel-efficient vehicle to help reduce American dependency on foreign oil. Nearly no oil is used for making electricity in the U.S; over 70% of our oil is consumed for transportation. Plug in America wants the government and automakers to prioritize building and marketing plug-in vehicles now.

Plug In America
Pulling away from the pump and plugging into our nation's extensive electric infrastructure would mean that Americans could immediately make the switch to cheaper, cleaner, domestic energy sources to power cars, trucks and SUVs. The cost of plugging in to the grid and charging up at home is the equivalent of pennies per gallon on the average electric bill as compared to $3.00-plus a gallon at the pump today. The widespread use of renewable energy like solar and wind power is on the rise across America and offers drivers the opportunity to plug-in to fossil-fuel free energy. With a plug-in hybrid, which uses a battery-powered electric motor for the first 30 to 50 miles, most American commuters would rarely if ever need to fill up or even top off with gasoline unless making a long trip. Since 50 percent of Americans do not drive more than 20 miles per day, the electric range of a plug-in hybrid would power nearly all of our daily driving.

A Brief History of EVs and The People Who Tried to Destroy Them
DontCrush.com started in 2004 in response to auto companies' ongoing destruction of their electric cars after successfully eviscerating California's Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate. Despite enormous popularity including waiting lists to lease the all-electric, zero-emission vehicles, the auto industry spent millions lobbying Sacramento and suing in federal court to take the cars off the road and replace them with gasoline cars as the only readily available option. Successful grassroots interventions including demonstrations at dealerships, car-sit vigils, and public education rallies helped save from the crusher hundreds of Ford and Toyota electric cars.

DontCrush.com's efforts have received public support from the American Lung Association, CalCars.org, California Assembly Member Fran Pavley, California Assembly Member Mark Leno, California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Alan Lloyd, California State Senator Sheila Kuehl, Electric Auto Association, Environment Now, Global Exchange, Greenpeace, Jumpstart Ford Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment, Rainforest Action Network, Set America Free, Sierra Club, City of Santa Monica, South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Supporting Statements
James Woolsey, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and member of Plug In America coalition and Set America Free, is a well-known advocate of plug-in hybrid technology. "We must encourage the commercialization of technologies that are compatible with existing infrastructure. What makes plug-in hybrids promising is that they are; we don't need a Manhattan Project to make this happen."

"Southern California Edison is proud to operate one of the nation's largest and most successful EV fleets, "says Ed Kjaer, Director of ElectricTransportation Department of Southern California Edison. "Since its inception, SCE's EV fleet has traveled almost 12 million trouble-free miles delivering significant petroleum, emissions and green house gas reductions as well as lower maintenance and operating costs. Thanks to the continuing support of Toyota and as a testament to the quality, durability and reliability of their world class EV, SCE is committed to maintaining its almost 180 Toyota RAV4 EVs indefinitely."

"The waiting lists and public campaigns for plug-in vehicles only proves that the demand for these cars has always gone unfulfilled by the automakers," says Chelsea Sexton, Plug In America organizer and former GM EV1 specialist. "There was compelling demand a decade ago when large EV programs started and were killed. That demand has only increased exponentially as the nation has come to realize the devastating consequences of depending on foreign oil."

"Four years and over 30,000 miles driving electric cars has proven to me that the best way for us individually and as a nation to use less oil is to have the choice to use none," says Marc Geller, Plug In America organizer. "Automakers need to offer plug- in electric alternatives, because electricity from the American grid, or in my case my solar PV panels, is cleaner, cheaper and domestic. We shouldn't have to pay off oil companies or undemocratic regimes just to get to work. Disruptions in oil supply in Iraq, in Louisiana - compel us to move quickly. We need choices. Now. Unlike the ever-more distant panacea of hydrogen fuel cells, plug in technology works today, and the infrastructure is ubiquitous. The automakers have already proven they can make great plug in cars. I drive one past gas stations every day."

"Before I leased my RAV4 EV, I never knew how much I'd love it. After I had it, I had no idea how hard I'd have to fight to keep it," explains Linda Nichols, Toyota RAV4 EV owner. "Toyota's turnaround is a courageous decision to respond to consumer demand and revise a policy created years ago for the benefit of their customers as well as the environment."