2006 Goals for the California Cars Initiative
Dec 29, 2005
(From the CalCars-News archive)
CalCars-News
This posting originally appeared at CalCars-News, our newsletter of breaking CalCars
and plug-in hybrid news.
View the original
posting here.
Feel free to forward this or point people to it at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/calcars-news/message/232. A version of this document will also soon be found at http://www.calcars.org/news/html, and it's part of the downloadable/printable 4-page PDF found at http://www.calcars.org/calcars-05report-06goals.pdf.
CalCars' Goals for 2006
Based on our 2005 track record, for 2006, we have ambitious goals.
We hope to re-orient one car company's direction to enable it to reach California's 2016 Pavley-AB1493 CO2 goals in only a few years. We will thereby for the first time bring drivers and citizens into the privileged corporate-government insider group that decides what cars get produced. We hope then to influence other automakers' plans for advanced technology, fuel efficiency and sustainability. We'd like to set a precedent for ways to address other industries that contribute to global warming.
If you agree, PLEASE, if possible before the year ends, send us a small or large contribution -- especially if you have never done so before.
You can help turn CalCars' campaign into a juggernaut. It's tax-deductible. And it's easy to do with a credit card, PayPal or check at http://www.calcars.org/sponsor.html.
VEHICLES
Demonstrate the viability of NiMH and Li-Ion batteries in PHEV conversions.
Build a prototype 500 MPG (of gasoline) flex-fuel PHEV.
Expand conversions beyond the Toyota Prius.
Find ways to get a substantial number of PHEV conversions on the road.
Facilitate Vehicle-To-Grid, solar-PHEV pairings and other innovative pilot projects.
Convince an auto maker, on its own or in cooperation with CalCars and others, to improve its business prospects by meeting demand from buyers excited about clean, powerful, advanced PHEVs.
POLICY
Increase public awareness of PHEVs through events and media coverage.
Increase support for PHEVs as a leading contender in national debates about energy and transportation solutions.
Build public awareness of the "well-to-wheel" advantage in CO2 emissions of electricity over gasoline.
Work with legislators, executive branch officials and agency staffs to build support, especially in California and the Pacific Northwest, for innovative state- and regional-sponsored programs to promote PHEVs.
Position flex-fuel PHEVs as a keystone component of a multi-dimensional strategy on global warming.
MARKET DEMAND
Get high-profile entrepreneurs, celebrities and early adopters behind the wheels of PHEV conversions.
Help develop and consolidate interest among fleets and individuals.
Help seed PHEV conversions across the country, available for media and public events.
Catalyze corporate, foundation and public resources to create incentives that buy down the incremental cost over conventional hybrids for the first thousands of vehicles,
CALCARS
Upgrade calcars.org website: improve navigation and interface
Promote PHEVs and CalCars through new media channels and other collateral materials
Recruit more volunteers able to commit substantial amounts of time to communications and technical projects
Raise substantial funds to provide CalCars with a budget that includes travel, conferences, paid senior staff and promotional resources
Help develop mechanisms to improve coordination among the organizations now promoting PHEVs.
Work to partner with an automaker, perhaps by sponsoring a for-profit company that will develop intellectual property and be open to equity investments.
Affiliate CalCars as a special project of a larger organization or sponsor.
Thanks as always for your suggestions and your support.