The ZEV Alliance

CASE HISTORY: THE ZEV ALLIANCE

BACKGROUND:  For many years, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) had led the nation in visionary rules (the ZEV Mandates) designed to bring Electric Vehicles to market – despite the best efforts of the American Auto Industry to prevent it.

PROBLEM: In 2001, the industry was applying maximum public and political pressure to get CARB to relax – if not eliminate – the Mandates at the Agency's regularly scheduled Board Meeting.

SOLUTION:  We were approached by the ZEV Alliance – a coalition of ten environmental groups – to do a full-page ad in the West Coast Edition of The New York Times, encouraging CARB to hold the line on the Mandates.  And hold it they did!

COMMENT: What is more remarkable is that we went from a blank piece of paper to a fully-produced ad - with ten signatories - in a little more than 48 hours.  If you know the speed with which environmental groups make decisions – let alone ten such organizations – you’ll understand why we are especially proud of this ad.

 

Stand up to Detroit

You remember.  First, the automakers said they couldn’t put in seatbelts as standard equipment. Then they couldn’t put in catalytic converters. And certainly not air bags. Or crash proof bumpers.

And now they really, really can’t produce non-polluting cars to comply with California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program because, well . . . well . . . there’s just no market for them.

But those of us who remember the Golden State in its golden state, know better. We know that thousands upon thousands of Californians are eager to buy an electric vehicle right now.

But instead of putting their energies into producing clean, efficient transportation, the Big Automakers - and their Big Oil allies - are spending their resources telling the California Air Resources Board (CARB) why it can’t be done.

At its next meeting on January 25, CARB will consider relaxing the rules so the automakers can take half-way measures to meet the regulations that have been in place since 1990 . . . and oh, yes - save themselves millions and millions of dollars in the process.

Detroit has been fighting the ZEV Program for years. Although CARB has backed down in the past, Board members courageously stood their ground at their last meeting in September.

But they can’t withstand the juggernaut forever - unless you help. The best way to show your support is to tell CARB and Governor Davis that you’re willing and eager to make your next car a Zero Emission Vehicle.

But please do it today. CARB meets next week, and they need to hear from you. Remember: it’s up to you to return the Golden State in its golden state.

 

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