California Air Resources Board's attempt to end plug-in hybrids

[kaygore]

I just received this in an email:


ACT NOW!
Let the California Air Resources Board know how you feel (this is very easy to do: see sample comment below): Not just CA:11 other states follow CARB's regs

Just go to:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/lispub/comm/bclist.php
and click on phev09 link under “List Name” column

here's a sample comment to quickly paste into comment field:

"I believe these proposed CARB regulations will strangle at birth the promising approach to emissions reduction and energy independence that Plug-In Electric Hybrid Vehicles represent.

I agree with Felix Kramer, of CalCars.org, the pioneering Palo Alto-based nonprofit that has led the fight for plug-in vehicles: 'It's simply too early for government regulation of plug-in hybrids. Acting too soon will shut off innovation and will kill companies that are just getting started.' "

CARB killed the electric car in California - do not make the same mistake with plug-in hybrids!

Very sincerely,

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Quick read of article from East Bay Express:

"Who's Killing the Plug-In Hybrid?"

The same state agency that drove the electric car off a cliff is now poised to wreck a new Berkeley company that triples the gas mileage of a Toyota Prius.

By Robert Gammon

January 14, 2009

Daniel Sherwood and Paul Guzyk never dreamed they would be accused of harming the planet. After all, the primary goal of their Berkeley startup company, 3Prong Power, is to curb greenhouse gas emissions. They convert Toyota Prius hybrids into mostly electric vehicles that get 100 to 150 miles per gallon. But a powerful state agency is poised to put 3Prong Power out of business and deal a severe blow to a promising new industry.


Next week, the California Air Resources Board is expected to adopt strict new regulations based on the theory that the innovative technology sold by 3Prong Power and other companies may be bad for the environment. Sherwood and Guzyk say that if the board adopts the new rules at its January 22 and 23 meeting, it likely will force them to shutter their business, which just had its grand opening last month at Green Motors on San Pablo Avenue.


In addition, proponents of the nascent plug-in hybrid industry say the air resources board also may snuff out a key component of what environmentalists believe will be the next generation of eco-friendly cars, thereby hampering our ability to wean ourselves from foreign oil, avoid petroleum wars in the Middle East, and slow the potentially devastating effects of global warming. "It's simply too early for government regulation of plug-in hybrids," said Felix Kramer, a leader of CalCars.org, a Palo Alto-based nonprofit that has led the fight for plug-in vehicles. "Acting too soon will shut off innovation and will kill companies that are just getting started."


COMPLETE ARTICLE:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/who_s_killing_the_plug_in_hybrid_/Content?oid=903061

California Air Resources Board
http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2008/phev09/phev09.htm

[Xithras]

1. The CARB is doing the right thing here.

CARB regulations have required all automotive modifiers since the 1970's to get CARB approval for any commercially offered automotive changes that impact the tailpipe emissions of a CARB certified vehicle (which hybrids are). Those requirements are simple. First, the modifications must be tested to verify that they do not increase tailpipe emissions in any way. Second, the company has to warrant the changes and take responsibility for them. If the change causes damage to the engine system which increases emissions later, the modifier is responsible for fixing the problem they created.

I don't see either of these regulations as being too burdensome.