Major Ev Political Victory Ab 71 Passes Into California Law
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Electric Auto Association CURRENT EVENTS ! August-September'99 Promoting the use of electric vehicles since 1967 Vol. 31 No. 8&9 MAJOR EV POLITICAL VICTORY AB 71 PASSES INTO CALIFORNIA LAW n a day and age when CARB has backed apply to the DMV who will issue the decals. industry. Vehicles such as the Corbin Spar- down on it’s California mandates and row looked as if they had the potential to I Honda wants to move to gas powered Side Effects hold a monopoly on single passenger, fully hybrids victories seem far and few between. enclosed, diamond lane commute vehicles. Overlooked by most people are the possible But by any measurement public law AB 71 Now with AB 71 the type and weight of adverse effects on the fledgeling CycleCar represents a major political victory for the vehicles possible is wide open. The new EV movement. Called by some the diamond diamond lane law will also put a premium lane law, AB 71 will allow electrics and on performance. Diamond lanes are high ULEVs the right to run in the diamond lanes speed lanes, any electrics designed for them of California with only one passenger. Many must have good acceleration and the ability predict that AB 71 will provide the critical to sustain freeway cruse for many miles. additional incentive for new car buyers and This performance criteria will leave out users to go electric. Anyone who commutes many older home built conversions, it will at rush hour on our urban freeway system also put a premium on aerodynamic design. understands the power behind AB 71. In the view of many people now, the key to pro- New Goals moting EVs in California is in the use of AB All said and done, this is our chance to make 71 in marketing. a great advancement in our movement. As it’s always been, our job is to demonstrate Seven Year Incentive in practice that EVs work in the real world. This incentive will be available from July 1, Now the high speed electric is to become our 2000 through 2007. The California High- new focus. Every time we race past frus- way Patrol will develop distinctive decals or trated commuters, parked in their gas cars at labels so the vehicles can be identified by rush hour, we send a message that no law enforcement and the motoring public. amount of advertising can buy, that EVs are EV owners and prospective owners that the way to GO! wish to take advantage of this incentive will Continued on page 14 Current.piz.p65 1 3/25/00, 11:00 AM IN THIS ISSUE CE STAFF Editor In This Issue Clare Bell E-mail: [email protected] An overwhelming advantage over the gasoline powered car is what many of use Tele: (510) 864-9293 Fax: (510) 864-9293 1 have been working toward. Now with the passage of AB 71, we have been handed 2701 Monarch Street, Hanger 20, Suite 136 the tools that give use this advantage in urban areas. This month CE prints the Alameda, California 94501 complete law in it’s entirety. News In Brief A major financial institution in a EV friendly community spends $14,000.00 on Ruth Shipley 4 a charging station and still leaves out standard outlets. “EVangel” Bruce Parmenter reports on the Alameda charging station unveiling and advises EV CE Reporters/Contributors activists how to take action. Kurt Bohan, Lee Hemstreet, Bruce Parmenter, Terry Wilson, John Mattingly Conductive charging is a lower cost preferred approach in the view of most EV 5 activists. This month Bruce Parmenter reviews the use of EVI systems and the Photo credits: importance of making available standard outlets with their installation. Kurt Bohan, Bruce Parmenter, Terry Wilson There’s a saying that you can’t see into the future without understanding the past. 8 In the spirit of this old adage Terry Wilson gives his historians report, giving Calendar of Events credit to those who have helped the growing history movement in the EAA. Anna Cornell As most of use know you can’t get two engineers into a room without getting more Advertising Manager 9 than one point of view. In response to our June/July article by Fred Miekka on Roy Kaylor AC and DC electric motors, John Mattingly gives a beautiful alternate view of E-mail: [email protected] Tele: (831) 338-2200 Fax: (510) 864-9293 how to describe the difference between AC and DC traction motors. 1918 Menalto Ave. Menlo Park, CA 94025 The Silicon Valley Rally, historically the biggest and the best, comes through 10 again. This year CE makes it’s first coverage of this grand event with a photo Production/Publishing essay. Nineteen photo ops., giving you a “you are there” view of the event. Graphic Design/Schedule Editor News in Brief - Five more pages of the most interesting news releases we could Kurt Bohan E-mail: [email protected] find. 20 Tele: (510) 814-1864 or (510) 864-9293 Fax: (510) 864-9293 Member Want Ads - Why lease an expensive new EV when you can find a real EAA News, 29 bargain through our want ads? 2701 Monarch Street, Hangar 20, Suite 136 Alameda, California 94501 CALL FOR BOARD MEMBER NOMINATIONS Article Submissions It’s election time again and the EAA is looking for volunteers to serve on it’s The deadline for articles is the 25th of each board of directors. If you think you would enjoy working on the board why not be month for the next issue of CE. Articles placed on the EAA national ballot ? Nominations should be sent to: received after this date will be retained for future issues Scott Cornell or E-mail: Scott Cornell at of CE. Contact the editor for more informa- EAA Election Committee [email protected] tion. P.O. Box 6661 - or - Concord, CA 94524 [email protected] Advertisements A full advertisers information package and Rate Sheet can be sent by U.S. Mail, Fax or PHOTO CREDIT - COVER E-mail. Please contact advertising manager or CE staff A Corbin Sparrow, ready to compete for the diamond lane. for details. COPYRIGHT 1999 c Current EVents is a publication of the Electric Auto Association. All rightsNational EAA reserved. While Current EVents and the Electric Auto Association strive for clarity and www.eaaev.org accuracy,Tony Cygan [email protected] we assume no responsibility for usage of this information. Permission to copy for other than commercial use is given, provided that full credit is given to originator of material copied. Membership/Address Changes This permission does not extend to reprinted articles. Electric Auto Association Page 2 CurrentP.O. Box EV ents6661, / Concord,August-September CA 94524 '99 Current.piz.p65 2 3/25/00, 11:01 AM FEEDBACK Letters to the Editor Dear Editor: reformer is not as mature a technology as the mation” view tends to de-value the act of methanol reformer. For the company that is creating original technical information. That It is sometimes suggested that gasoline looking for a sure technical bet to put on the may be ok if all inventions occur acciden- fuel cells will permit us to move to fuel cells road today, methanol fuel cells are the tech- tally, but it tends to discourage individuals more quickly than methanol fuel cells, and nology of choice. As far as the problem of from investing their life in creative endeav- that it is a good vehicle for the transition setting up a methanol infrastructure, many ors. while building the hydrogen or methanol major players in the field today do not see Also on page 1, An Arizona legislator infrastructure required. What do you say to this as the biggest problem. However things is quoted as comparing EV progress to the this argument? It is also suggested that there work out, gasoline fuel cell technology will calculator, computer, VCR, etc. I find this will be less carbon dioxide per mile because have no chance at all until we see cost amusing, because none of these fast-growing of an efficiency greater than that of the effective working prototypes on the streets in product lines had to compete directly against internal combustion engine. Finally, it is fair numbers. Up until this time, this has pre-existing products which super-ficially suggested that the sulphur and nitrous ox- not been the case. - KB seemed the same to the typical consumer. ides and particulate matter pollution would Selling EV’s to a public accustomed to 300 be much less with gasoline fuel cells than miles between 5-minute fillups is a with the internal combustion engine and a Dear Editor: far greater challenge than convincing ev- swifter transition available through the gaso- The DMV is currently working on a eryone to play movies with the TV instead line fuel cell would have a beneficial effect project to remove 40-60 Neighborhood Elec- of a film projector. “More power” to those on the environment and would be better tric Vehicles from operation on Oregon who are taking on the tougher task! than waiting for the hydrogen or methanol highways. The registrations are being can- The same article’s continuation on page infrastructure which must be created. I would celled because “there is no classification in 10 includes an update on fuel cell progress. greatly appreciate your responses to those the vehicle code for registration of these It states, “Methanol of course does not rely contentions. types of vehicles”. on foreign oil.” Please solicit an article Wallace Edward Brand from someone who can explain where metha- [email protected] (Wallace DMV contact: nol comes from, and specifically what the Edward Brand) Debbie Clark (503) 945-5243 energy source is.