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Hello,

Although I do not fully understand the wording of the ZEV
regulation, I ask that you would 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.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to express my views on the
future of our state's energy independance and on our bid to become
the number one clean air state in the nation.

Ross and Jean Guldenbrein