2007.11.15 GreenEST Plug-In Conversion Rally

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2007.11.15 GreenEST Plug-In Conversion Rally at the LA Auto Show

PlugInAmerica.org, CalCars.org, RAN.org, GlobalExchange.org, FreedomFromOil.org, PlugInConversions.com, and other plug-in advocacy groups held a rally at noon in front of the LA Auto Show to demonstrate a speed conversion of a Toyota Prius Hybrid into a 100+ MPG PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle), and award it the 2008 GreenEST car of the year. This was in response to the LA Auto Show having awarded the 2008 Green car of the year to the 21mpg Chevy Tahoe Hybrid.

Californians want Plug-In Electric Vehicles so that we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, eliminate tailpipe emissions, and commute more economically since electric vehicles cost an equivalent of about $0.60 "a gallon" to drive on electricity. For those that have already installed PhotoVoltaic Solar Systems on their residences, the cost to charge an electric vehicle is free once the Return On Investment (ROI) is achieved. Offsetting gasoline with PV solar greatly speeds up the ROI of a PV Solar system when the commuter no longer has to buy gasoline. The EV is far more convient because it is "full" every morning having charged at home overnight. The PV Solar owner also insulates themselves from increasing energy costs (either from the electric utilities or the gasoline companies) having invested in a solar system that should last 40+ years yet has paid for itself in the first 5-8 years. PV+EV is a wonderful and viable solution to help reduce the global warming problem, greatly improve our air quality, save time by no longer having to visit a gas station, reduce peak loads on the heavily burdened electrical grid (EVs charge at night, PV provides maximum power during the day when peak powerplant loads are at their highest), and allows our citizens to save monies that otherwise get depleted paying for ever costlier gasoline and energy. An EV can also power one's home for several days should there be an extended power outage. Lastly, EVs are more fun and more relaxing to drive than ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) cars, faster accelerating, quiet, and significantly reduce the amount of automotive maintenance (no more changing motor oil and filters, brake jobs are a thing of the past due to regenerative braking, no more having to take your car to get smog checked, etc...). We want Plug-In Electric Vehicles yesterday! Are you listening Honda? How about making your fantastic Honda CR-Z concept car (21st Century CRX) into a production Plug-In Battery EV or Plug-In Hybrid EV?

RALLY TO URGE AUTOMAKERS TO GET IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, DROP THE PAVLEY LAWSUIT AND SUPPORT PLUG INS

Plug in America, Cal Cars, Co-op America, Rainforest Action Network, Global Exchange and others will rally outside of the Los Angeles Auto Show—United States Greenest Auto Show—Thursday, November 15th to call further attention to automakers pushing green vehicles while blocking California law that would reduce greenhouse gas pollution from vehicles.

Despite many of the car manufacturer’s touting “green” cars, Toyota, Ford, GM and other automakers are currently fighting the state’s efforts to implement AB 1493 (Pavley), legislation that would reduce vehicle global warming emissions and slow climate change. By focusing its energies on mass producing more fuel efficient vehicles like plug-in hybrid electric vehicles rather than fighting California’s Clean Cars Law, automakers could easily meet the emissions standards mandated by the new law and become an international leader in fuel economy.

While the state of California is now suing the Bush administration to force the Environmental Protection Agency to pass a waiver to allow the state to issue emission regulations for automobiles, the waiver would allow California to require automakers to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 30% between 2009 and 2016—as mandated by a law the state passed in 2002. Identical measures have since been adopted by 14 other states, and a waiver for California would allow them to move ahead with implementation as well. The 15 states account for about 40% of all new cars sold in the United States.

Automakers oppose the waiver request as well as the regulations, and they are fighting the California law in a complaint before a federal judge in Fresno.

WHEN:          Thursday, November 15th, 2007 at 12:00 p.m.

WHERE:       Los Angeles Convention Center; on the corner of Figueroa St. and Pico Blvd.

FEATURES: Speed conversion of conventional hybrid into a plug-in electric hybrid that gets over 100 mpg, games, balloons, cool visuals, speakers and more.

WHO:             Concerned citizens and activist from Plug in America, Co-op America, Cal Cars, Global Exchange and Rainforest Action
Network

WHY:             California is one of several states trying to curb global warming through strict regulation of tailpipe pollution. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM), which lobbies on behalf of major auto companies including Toyota, Ford and GM, is fighting such efforts by suing states that attempt to pass pollution regulations. The AAM is currently lobbying against California’s request for a federal waiver under the Clean Air Act so that would allow the state to enact stricter tailpipe emissions standards.

On Monday, November 12, 2007, the U.S. District Court in Fresno will decide on the State of California’s motion to dismiss the automakers’ lawsuit challenging California’s Clean Cars Law. Let's make sure automakers hear the concerns of Californians.