Comment Log Display

I write today to ask that the California Air Resources Board not
weaken the current Zero Emission Vehicle regulations. Zero
emission vehicles not only reduce air pollution, but help in the
fight against global warming. In fact, now is the time to
strengthen, not weaken, these requirements.Combine zero emissions
vehicles with alternative energy strategies and we have multiple
wins--reduces carbon emissions, cleaner environment, sustainable
energy supplies, reduction of dependence on foreign oil and a
foreign policy not held hostage to energy issues. We need to start
somewhere and the zero emission vehicle standards can be a part of
a rational strategy on the environment and energy.

Sometimes we have to take the bull by the horns and this is often
the case in furthering our environmental agenda. If government
doesn't push alternative energy or new transportation
technologies, they will not be developed. It is a legitimate
purpose of government regulation to encourage, force or entice
development of technologies that serve our larger purposes. Unless
CARB promotes electric vehicles, there won't be any when I want to
buy one. Like many consumers, I am willing to pay  more to walk my
talk, but in the absence of government action, there will not be a
market to support.

Finally, I fully support the staff's proposal to significantly
increase the number of plug-in hybrids that must be produced and
appreciate staff's vision in including these cars in the ZEV
requirements. A plug-in hybrid that has an all-electric range, but
that also runs on gasoline when the battery is empty, is a great
option for consumers like me.