The definitive book (so far) on the booming clean tech industry has just been published -- and PHEVs and CalCars are front and center. Details are the last item on this posting.

But first, here's a roundup of accumulated important items.

CALCARS.ORG IMPROVEMENTS

OTHER PLUG-IN RESOURCES
VIDEO: Watch a great two-minute video featuring thirteen-year-old Jed U'Ren, shown enjoying his family's EV-1 when he was six and now wanting "to plug in my first car just like I plug in my electric guitar." http://www.youtube.com/­watch?v=YTKK9R6Ylcs PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: See New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's 2.5-minute video "Energy Plan: Bring Plug-In Cars to market." He promises a plug-in summit within 30 days of taking office in February 2009. Richardson, former Congressman and US Secretary of Energy notes that Tesla will build EVs in his state. http://www.youtube.com/­watch?v=Sv6j9Y5yFpk&mode=related&search=%20a%202:31

SPEAKING OF WIKIPEDIA, the entry for PHEVs http://en.wikipedia.org/­wiki/­Plug-in_hybrid is now much improved thanks to volunteers working with CalCars and many others, but can always get better.

PHEVS AS READING/VIEWING MATERIAL: In recent weeks, PlugInAmerica.org, with the cooperation of SetAmericaFree.org, has distributed copies of the book, Plug-In Hybrids, The Cars that Will Recharge America," by Sherry Boschert, and the DVD, "Who Killed the Electric Car," to all 535 members of the House and Senate, and has also distributed them to every state's Governor. We hope they're reading and viewing! Plug In America is celebrating its second anniversary (it was initially called DontCrush.com: The Campaign To Save Electric Cars)

NEW BOOK PICKS CALCARS, HIGHLIGHTS PHEVS
The Clean Tech Revolution: The Next Big Growth and Investment Opportunity, 308 pages, $26.95, is written by Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder -- among the most well-known writers, advisors and conference organizers in Clean Tech. Collins, Its publisher says it "highlights breakthrough clean-tech opportunities, potential roadblocks and pitfalls, and pioneering individuals, companies, and regions around the world," and describes it as "a groundbreaking book that shows how clean-tech markets offer the best opportunity for wealth creation in a generation while solving some of the greatest issues facing humankind."

The authors identify 10 companies in each of eight clean-tech sectors: solar energy, wind power, biofuels and biomaterials, green buildings, personal transportation, smart grid,mobile technologies, water filtration. Companies were chosen based on growth and industry influence in the near to mid-term

Even though it's a non-profit, CalCars.org was named on the Ten to Watch list of companies in the chapter, Personal Transportation: Designing Ultra-Efficient, Low-Emissions, High-Performance Vehicles. "Our Ten to Watch lists at the end of each chapter highlight companies that are playing a significant role in the growth and innovation of the clean-tech industry," said Pernick. "We chose ten companies, whether public or private, that are poised to make an impact."

The Top 10 in Personal Transportation are CalCars, Chery, EEStor, General Motors, Honda, REVA Electric Car, Tesla Motors, Toyota, Valence Technology and Vectrix. (We're first on the list because it's alphabetical!) The citation concludes, "But regardless of its future business plans, or whether these plans eventually make money, CalCars will continue to be a key PHEV player to watch for its advocacy, technology leadership, and grass-roots influence in an industry that often needs a good kick from the outside."

Repeatedly, PHEVs are described as offering "compelling growth opportunities for entrepreneurs (and their investors) to work with the big companies on battery technologies and other key components." And Flex-Fuel PHEVs are described as a "Breakthrough Opportunity." And electric vehicles and electric bikes and scooters are also singled out for their great prospects.

MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
The book manages to include information that's only a few months old -- unusual for a book from a major publisher! And on other subjects, the authors are on the nose in analyzing the cost disadvantages of unsubsidized nuclear power, the myth of "clean coal," the disadvantages of corn ethanol, and the opportunities for solar and wind power.

The book is available at bookstores and online. At http://www.thecleantechrevolution.com/­ you can read reviews and download the introduction and chapter on solar energy. We'll close with some endorsements and blurbs:

"Should be required reading for any responsible citizen of this planet." -Guy Kawasaki, Managing Director, Garage Technology Ventures, and Author of The Art of the Start

"Greentech is the next right thing. And this book is an important reader for anyone--venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, scientists, business strategists, or consumers--interested in the next wave of technological innovation." -John Doerr, Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers

"Thomas Friedman's book The World is Flat helped people recognize that globalization is pervasive. Similarly, The Clean Tech Revolution shows us that clean energy has arrived and will have a far-reaching impact on the global economy." -Bob Greifeld, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.

"If you ever wondered whether clean tech is a real industry with serious companies, read Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder's authoritative book. Investors, entrepreneurs, and clean-tech executives will find its concise listings and descriptions invaluable." -William K Reilly, Founding Partner, Aqua International Partners, and Former Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

"Pernick and Wilder provide a practical guide to becoming involved in America's next great entrepreneurial frontier." -Nancy E. Pfund, Managing Director, JPMorgan

"The Clean Tech Revolution is a blueprint for the future. By chronicling the gestation of the clean-tech industry, Pernick and Wilder have set the stage for understanding our next Silicon Valley and the entrepreneurs, investors, technologies, and companies that are making it happen. -Nancy Floyd, Founder and Managing Director, Nth Power

"The biggest market opportunity today is to find alternatives to the earth's diminishing resources. This is the definitive guide on how to make money by protecting the environment." -Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco