Letters to Governor Urging Davis to Hold Firm on Zero-Emission Program
6 September 2000
Electric Postal Vehicle Delivers 50,000+ Letters to Governor Urging Davis and ARB to Hold Firm on Zero-Emission Vehicle Program
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--Sept. 6, 2000--Automakers Should Provide Environmental Dividend, Supporters Say
A zero-emission electric U.S. Postal Service truck today is delivering more than 50,000 letters to Gov. Gray Davis, signaling a broad base of support from California consumers, local governments, businesses, labor unions and public interest groups for the California Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program. The delivery comes one day before a California Air Resources Board (ARB) hearing on the program.
"We knocked on 500,000 doors and talked to more than 200,000 Californians this summer. Everyone was concerned about air pollution and the need for clean, zero-pollution cars," says California Public Interest Research Group's (CALPIRG) Dan Jacobson. Through these letters, more than 50,000 Californians have told the governor they want to clean California's air by protecting the California Zero-Emission Vehicle Program, Jacobson says.
Adopted in 1990, the California ZEV Program requires the six major automakers to produce 10 percent ZEVs beginning in 2003, with 4 percent pure ZEVs and 6 percent near-zero emission vehicles that receive partial ZEV credit.
Approximately 20,000 additional consumers have signed the Clean Car Pledge, with which they affirmed their support for the ZEV Program and pledged to buy the greenest vehicle available for their next car.
In addition, approximately 24 local government entities, including cities, counties, associations of government and fleet operations, have passed resolutions, ordinances, or written letters of support for the ZEV Program. Another 20 are scheduled to vote on resolutions later this month, says Bonnie Holmes-Gen, assistant vice-president for government relations, American Lung Association of California.
"Local governments are wild about the ZEV Program. They want electric vehicles but can't get them because the automakers are withholding production," Holmes-Gen says.
City and county fleets play an important role in developing the market, Holmes-Gen adds, noting that EVs are perfect for many fleets that want to save time and money on fueling and maintenance, and by allowing access to HOV lanes for single drivers. "Collecting government resolutions and letters of support is one way the American Lung Association is helping to demonstrate the market for EVs."
With the market growing and the ARB's own staff report noting that electric vehicle technology is on track, there is no reason to delay the program, notes Roland Hwang, transportation program co-director, Union of Concerned Scientists. The ZEV Program is a success and has spurred technology advancement, he says. The only question now is how to offset the early, low-volume higher prices, which will drop when production volumes increase.
"With automakers reaping record profits on the backs of high-pollution SUV sales, isn't it time for an environmental dividend?" Hwang asks. He notes that the Big 5 automakers recorded a 1999 profit of $25 billion, profit as much as $20,000 on every SUV sold, and their gas-guzzling SUVs and other light trucks emit an extra 280 tons of air pollution each day. "High-profit, high-pollution SUVs can provide much of the investment needed for a zero-emission future. It's only right and fair that they should help finance the early market while ZEVs reach the necessary production levels," Hwang says.
Sandra Spelliscy, general counsel, Planning and Conservation League, notes that a poll conducted earlier this summer showed that two-thirds of Californians support the state's ZEV Program. "Californians understand that automakers will not make zero-emission cars on their own -- the government must continue to require clean cars to protect our health," she said. "The state's ZEV Program is on the right track and must stay in place."
American Lung Association of California, CALPIRG, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Planning and Conservation League are part of the California ZEV Alliance, a coalition of health, environmental and public interest groups working together to support the state's ZEV Program.
