First Name | Gabrielle |
---|---|
Last Name | Weeks |
Email Address | gabrielle@workwithweeks.com |
Affiliation | Long Beach Greens |
Subject | Bring Back the Zero Emissions Mandate |
Comment | Eighteen years ago, the California Air Resource Board (CARB) adopted the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, a groundbreaking requirement resulting in nearly 5,000 zero emissions cars placed on our roads. These are cars that emit no smog-forming, cancer-causing, or greenhouse gas effect-producing pollutants! Many of these cars are still driving today, undeniable proof that plug-in battery-electric cars can work: decades-old technology was able to produce cost-effective, reliable, functional cars that both residents and fleet customers wanted to use. We all know what happened next: CARB caved to political pressure and the threat of lawsuit, allowing auto manufacturers to dismantle their viable electric vehicle programs, shred their waiting lists for new electric vehicles, and repossess their leased vehicles. Most of the repossessed vehicles were needlessly destroyed in an unfortunate attempt to obliterate any record these vehicles worked. CARB allowed automakers to continue to poison our environment and chain future generations to continued oil addiction with over-promoted yet profitable gas-guzzling SUVs, without requiring a single pure zero emissions vehicle to be placed on the road as mitigation. On March 27, CARB will consider staff-proposed revisions to the ZEV program that unfortunately allow automakers to continue to get away with murder. Twenty years after the mandate was initially adopted, CARB will only require automakers to produce half as many truly zero emissions vehicles – 2,500 – as were developed in response to the original mandate. This doesn’t make any sense – battery technology has only advanced, several automakers have already announced plans for plug in hybrid electric vehicles capable of pure electric mode, and a number of start-up companies are developing advanced battery electrics such as Tesla, ZAP, Phoenix MotorCars, Aptera, Th!nk, and countless others. Since then California’s population has increased over 25%, putting more cars on our roads. Why roll back requirements when we need to be boldly driving forward? Therefore, we request that CARB adopt the following revisions to the staff proposal: Ø Retain the requirement for automakers to produce no less than 25,000 truly zero emissions vehicles by 2012 Ø Create additional incentives for start up companies developing battery electric vehicles, including streamlined permitting, grants and loans, etc. Ø Revise the rules for Neighborhood Electric Vehicles to allow a 35 mph top speed. This minor change can significantly increase the demand for such vehicles and make these vehicles more useful for average residents. |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2008-03-23 20:19:29 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.