Legislative Steps Needed Toward Zero-Emission Vehicles

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.