Join Plug In America in urging Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the CARB Board, and members of the California State Legislature to close a gaping loophole that could deal a blow to the proliferation of plug-in vehicles just as the federal government is awarding billions of dollars to automakers to advance battery technology and production of plug-in vehicles for sale.
CARB’s Zero Emission Vehicle program has no minimum timeframe for vehicles used for compliance. Thus, BMW’s one-year pilot program consisting of just 500 converted electric Mini Coopers leased at an astonishing $850 per month will earn the same full credit as a real vehicle production program. We’re asking you to tell Ms. Nichols and the CARB Board that they must close this loophole so that only vehicles offered for sale receive full ZEV program credit.
Even in you live outside of California, please send a message to CARB because California rules already affect clean air regulations nationwide.
Clicking the link below could help get electric vehicles on the road that consumers can buy, rather than cars that automakers can crush after a year or two:
www.pluginamerica.org/closecarbloophole
The ZEV program loophole, which Plug In America denounced before a critical March 2008 air board vote, extends through 2011. CARB had plenty of time to see this coming and while BMW is not the first automaker to take advantage of the loophole, it should be the last. Consumers should have full access to the fuel efficient cars they’ve been demanding. Plug In America advisory board member Chelsea Sexton states it well: “This is turning out to be a half-baked, poorly executed program by BMW, who is acting solely for the sake of regulatory compliance. Shame on CARB for allowing it.”
www.pluginamerica.org/closecarbloophole
Help leverage the success of California to solve the climate crisis and make the switch to clean, affordable, domestic electricity for transportation. California will pave the way for reductions in vehicle emissions all over this country and guide the industry to a cleaner and reinvigorated future. Please tell CARB and California legislators today that you support this action to close this unnecessary loophole.
Thank you for your support!
Jay Friedland
Legislative Director
Plug In America
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