21c Test Pilot Produced by Communications Chairperson Marvin V. Rush

Vol 1 Issue 8, November 1997

Contents

• Round 3 to EV1 Club
• Hooray for Sacramento
• EV1 Frequently Asked Questions
• Scanned from the net...
• Revised Public Charging Protocols
• Letter Writing Tools
• Simplify

Round 3 to EV1 Club

Constance Chesnut with help from several members of the EV1 Club initiated a letter writing campaign to confront Trader Joe's on this issue. There were many letters sent. Several expressed personal outrage and vowed a personal boycott of Trader Joes. Others raised the possibility of going to the media with the story. Here is an excerpt of what was sent:

Mr. John V. Shields, Jr. CEO Trader Joe's Dear Mr. Shields, This letter to you is in response to Patricia St John's letter to me regarding my inquiry about Trader Joe's support of Californians Against Hidden Taxes, an organization parading as a taxpayer protest organization whose main purpose is to prevent the infrastructure of the electric vehicle technology from developing thereby preventing a competing source of fuel for automobiles. As a long time customer and Trader Joe's enthusiast, I was shocked and disappointed by the tone and content of your remarks. With the exception of you and the oil business, the overwhelming response of most people, and many business and municipalities to the electric car has been very positive. Many cities and businesses such as Ralph's, Bristol Farms and Costco have installed chargers for electric cars. We drivers go out of our way to support those businesses. The oil business has received many billions of dollars from government subsidies, tax breaks, the occasional military intervention, publicly financed toxic clean up and heath costs from resulting pollution. Have you spoken out against these "hidden taxes"? The use of electric vehicles will help reduce pollution for everybody, not just the drivers of electric vehicles. This is new technology and needs support. You should be installing chargers for us, not fighting us. This is a matter of concern to many individuals and organizations who care about clean air and the environment, not just EV1 drivers. Trader Joe's has a reputation as an enlightened corporation concerned about the environment. I and many other electric vehicle drivers, as well as the members of many other environmental organizations, are customers of Trader Joe's and spend a lot of money there. So far, I have informed only the members of the EV1 club (most of them TJ customers) about your remarks. They were also appalled about the tone and content. I will wait until I hear from you before informing other people who care about clean air, other environmental groups, and the media about your position and your attitude. I await clarification of your position on this matter. Sincerely, Constance Chesnut

The response follows:

Trader Joe's Company Corporate Office Unique foods and beverages at prices everyone can afford. PO Box 3270 * 538 Mission St. South Pasadena, CA 91030 Ph# 626- 441-1177 *Fax 626-441-9573 Oct. 22, 1997 Dear Ms. Chesnut I must admit that I have let my personal bias against all forms of mandates color my judgment. I have requested Californians Against Hidden Taxes to remove all mention of Trader Joe's Company endorsement from their correspondence and advertising. Sincerely yours, John Shields Chairman & CEO

Clearly Constance wields a mighty pen...you can too! Congratulations to all who wrote a letter or phoned. If you agree please sign and mail this months letter to Trader Joes. Perhaps we can turn them into active supporters.

Hooray for Sacramento

Great news! EV1 Brand Manager Frank Pereira has decided to lease our cars in Sacramento. This marks the first expansion out of the original sales area.

To the naysayers it shows GMs continuing commitment to make a business out of electric cars. It also means more club members for us. Having a presence in the state capitol is vital. In the near future California legislators and the governor will be seeing EV1s on the road around town. It's much harder to ignore our movement if it passes you at a stoplight.

One of the nice aspects of moving to Sacramento is the commitment of the local utility. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has been a leader in electric transportation for years. The charging infrastructure is already partially installed and waiting for cars to use them. Twenty nine chargers are up and running now and fifty more are planned before years end.

Another recent development is roadway signs for EVs. Today the EV1 driver has no easy way of knowing where the nearest charger site is located. In the near future this is what you will be seeing:

$500,000 dollars has been allocated for the signs and the design is rapidly approaching final approval. The plan is to cover the local freeways and surface streets with direction and distance signs that will lead us right to the chargers.

EV1 Frequently Asked Questions

How Far Can You Drive?

PUBLIC CHARGING IS FREE. New batteries will be introduced early in 1998 that will double the current range. The EV1 is ready to accept the new batteries with a minor software update.

How Fast Will It Go?

Is It a Saturn?

What Maintenance Is Required?

How Much Does It Cost?

I see collector potential in this car and would like to eventually own it.

What Happens If You Run Out of Charge or Need Help?

How Many Batteries Does It Have - How Do You Recharge?

How Much Does It Cost to Recharge the Batteries?

Scanned from the Net...

October 22, 1997. The chief of General Motors Corp. (GM) said  the U.S. auto giant would try to develop environment-friendly vehicles by minimizing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions harmful to health and seeking to improve their fuel economy.

GM Chairman John Smith told a news conference in Tokyo the world's largest automaker would increase its research and development expenditure to this end. "General Motors shares everyone's concern for the environment, and, of course, the world is focused on the outcome of the Kyoto environmental conference" in December, Smith told reporters.

"We have already introduced the world's most technologically advanced electric vehicles in the United States and are working on several alternative sources of propulsion," he said, referring to marketing of the EV-1 vehicles propelled by electric power.

Smith vowed to reveal the outcome of GM's latest technological innovations in the field of antipollution technology during the North American International Auto show in Detroit next January.

EPA Report Shows Substantial Benefits of Clean Air

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a report showing that from 1970-1990 the public health protection and environmental benefits of the  Clean Air Act exceeded the costs of its programs by a wide margin, reports Environmental News Network.

The EPA found ­ if the Clean Air Act hadn’t been enacted ­ 205,000 Americans would have died prematurely and millions more would have suffered heart and respiratory illnesses during those two decades. The EPA estimates total monetary benefits of Clean Air Act programs ranged from about $6 trillion to approximately $50 trillion, averaging $22 trillion.

The estimates represent the value of avoiding dire air-quality conditions and the resultant dramatic increases in illness and premature deaths that would have prevailed without the Act. By  contrast, actual costs of achieving the pollution reductions over the same 20-year period were $523 billion, which represents a better than 40-to-1 return on investment.

Gasoline Consumption @ Record Levels

Washington, D.C. Gasoline consumption in the U.S. averaged a record 336 million gallons per day for the first eight months of 1997, partly because car buyers are shunning fuel-efficient models, reports the Associated Press. While some cars such as Chevrolet’s Geo Metro achieve 46 mpg in combined city/highway driving, new statistics from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency say nine out of ten 1998 vehicles get less than 30 mpg and nearly one-fifth get less than 20 mpg.

Overall fuel economy for all passenger vehicles has dropped from an average of 26.2 mpg 10 years ago to 1996‘s average of 24.9 mpg, mostly from increased purchases of light trucks, minivans and sport-utility vehicles. One group lobbying federal legislators against tighter fuel-economy standards claims the top ten most fuel-efficient cars on the EPA’s list represent only seven-tenths of one percent of all new car sales, because consumer interest in fuel economy is declining.

EV1 Frame will use exotic Metal Matrix Composite in 1998

IRVINE, Calif  Oct. 16, 1997. Alyn Corp., producer of high-performance Boralyn and other proprietary advanced metal matrix composite materials, announced the signing of an agreement with the Advanced Technology Vehicles Division of General Motors Corp. to provide a major part of the frame for the EV-1, General Motors' entry into the consumer electric vehicle arena.

Alyn will use its proprietary precision pressure casting technology and Boralyn material to manufacture the cradle section of the frame, bringing the advantages of lighter weight and better material properties to the structure. Alyn will be the sole source supplier for the EV-1 cradle commencing in the first half of 1998.

Alyn designs, develops, manufactures and markets consumer and industrial products utilizing its high-performance Boralyn material and other proprietary advanced metal matrix composite materials for a variety of selected markets.

Editors Note:  Boralyn is a very exotic composite.  Until recently it was a classified defense only material. As Bob Purcell says, "this IS rocket science."

Revised Public Charging Protocols

These protocols apply to public charging.  They are designed to help us share the public charging resource with other EV1 drivers and in the future other vehicles using the MagneCharge system.

#1: REMOVING THE PADDLE. All EV1 drivers may feel free to remove the charging paddle from  another EV1 if the charger indicator shows 80% or more unless the driver has indicated on his dashboard that he needs a lesser charge  or a greater, 90% charge.  A 90% Charge would be the MAXIMUM a driver could request. Hopefully this situation  will occur very infrequently but it could mitigate an intolerably long wait to begin a charge. It is hoped that 80% or less will suffice in most cases.

#2: INSERTING THE PADDLE. When leaving a charger the Paddle should, without fail, be inserted into the charging receptacle of another EV1 that is in an adjoining or otherwise reachable slot.

Notes for Protocol #2: Common sense and courtesy should dictate an EV1 drivers actions in most charging situations. Unlike gas propelled vehicles, EV drivers will have to think about the situation they are in as to how it will effect other EV drivers  who may arrive at the same charging location. " Do unto others..."should suffice nicely. .  For instance, in a situation where there is only one charger and the paddle can not reach another slot, the driver should return to his car at the earliest possible time to move his car to another slot or to leave.  On most occasions the drivers should not allow their car to be charging more than two hours in order to make room for other drivers.  If Gas run cars are in the EV slots, management should  be notified and some notice  attached to the offending car, preferably by the management. Some establishments have even elected to tow the vehicles away or to another  more appropriate slot.

SUPPORT THE INFRASTRUCTURE. During this early stage of the charging infrastructure we are faced with many contradictions.  Two EV1s wanting a charge where there is but one Charger creates a problem and an unfortunate inconvenience.  Yet many of the places where Chargers are located complain that the Chargers  are barely used at all. Some say they've never seen an EV1 charging. Therefore it is requested that EV1 drivers try to go to establishments to both support those entrepreneurs and to show themselves as customers and users of the chargers as often as possible even when not absolutely necessary. It boils down to; use the chargers as frequently as you can and be aware of the other driver's needs.

The goal of all EV drivers and others should be to make the EV chargers ubiquitous. When this is the case there will be no need for charging protocols.

Editors Note: We are in process of obtaining new Cards that will replace the present cards that say 80% on one side 100% on the other with  a two sided card that WILL NOW SAY that the driver needs a 70% charge on one side or a 90% charge on the other.

Enid Joffe with EV EDISON kindly consulted with the Protocols committee and agreed to place the two protocols in some clearly seen manner on the chargers themselves. Enid has also decided the time is right for legislation to protect the 'Electric Only' slots from non electric usurpers. We will make efforts to have all new EV1 drivers receive these protocols from the Saturn Dealers and specialists.

Letter Writing Tools

Here are some bullet points that can be included in letters to cities and other target audiences. They were provided by the Planning and Conservation League Foundation.

• Your city has a chance to take the lead in developing innovative clean transportation options. By investing in public charging for electric vehicles, your city is demonstrating its commitment to providing clean air and a healthy environment for citizens, reducing dependence on foreign oil and supporting new job and business opportunities.
• Southern California has the Dirtiest Air in the Nation.
• In 1995, the federal air quality standard for ozone was exceeded at one or more locations in the South Coast Air Basin on 98 days. While this is the lowest number of days since record keeping began, it still is more frequent than any other area of the nation.
• Southern California must come into compliance with the federal Clean Air Act by 2010. To meet the federal health-based standards, state and regional regulators require emissions reductions from both stationary sources such as factories and restaurants, and mobile sources such as cars and trucks. 1
• Mobile sources produce 70 percent of smog in Southern California. If car and truck emissions aren't dramatically reduced, the clean-up burden will fall on stationary polluters, many of them small businesses, which already have invested millions in emissions reduction equipment.
• EVs are an important part of the long-term strategy for cleaning our air. When considered individually, each measure designed to reduce mobile source emissions comprises only a small percentage of the total reductions needed to come into compliance. But if any one measure including EVs - is eliminated from the plan, the region will not be able to meet federal standards. 2
• Electric vehicles are 97 percent cleaner than today's cleanest gasoline cars. In the South Coast Air Basin, even with power plant emissions factored in, replacing a gasoline vehicle with an electric vehicle will remove 99 percent of the most important criteria pollutant emissions. 3
• EVs stay "zero-emission" throughout their lifetime. Gas-powered cars grow dirtier over their lifetime.
• EVs are Here! It's time to demonstrate that your city is EV-Ready.
• General Motors and Honda are leasing their electric cars to consumers now.
• Toyota will make its EV available to fleets later this year.
• Ford has already taken several hundred orders for it EV Ranger truck, available to fleets.
• Government's role is to protect the health and well being of its citizens and build infrastructure. EV public charging stations are a necessary part of new transportation infrastructure. By investing in EV infrastructure, your city is positioning itself as a leader, and welcoming today's EV pioneers who depend on public charging for their cars.

EV1 Owner Comments

• "In the past six months I have driven my EV1 over 14,000 miles... In that time I have often used the public charging sites. When people see me charging my vehicle, they always stop to talk. These opportunities to promote EVs are overwhelmingly positive. People like EVs. The more they see them, the more acceptable they will become."- EV1 owner Marvin Rush

Don't be Fooled by Astroturf (Fake Grassroots) Groups Funded by Big Oil

• Californians Against Hidden Taxes promotes itself as an independent alliance of citizens and business groups. It is, in fact, funded by the oil industry.
• Paperwork from the California Secretary of State documents the links between WSPA, CAHT and another group, Californians Against Utility Company Abuse. The small print on its list of endorsers reads ~Funding for Californians Against Hidden Taxes is Provided by the Western States Petroleum Association." The second mailing address on its letterhead, showing a Burlingame location, is the address of Woodward & McDowell, a political and public relations consulting firm, which represents WSPA.
• For the oil industry to complain about tax subsidies is the pot calling the kettle black.
• The oil industry is taxed at just 11 percent while non-oil industries pay 18 percent. In 1991 that amounted to $2 billion in corporate income tax benefits from the federal government, alone. 4
• From 1919 to 1973 the oil industry received more than $123 billion in preferential tax benefits. Today, overall oil industry subsidies amount to $300 billion a year. 5
• Big U.S. oil companies have been the prime beneficiaries of federal foreign tax credits - to the tune of $63 billion from 1984 to 1993. 6
• Opponents' claims that electric utilities are the greatest beneficiaries of EVs are simply a smokescreen. Utilities are obligated to provide electric service for EVs, just as they are obligated to provide service to homes and businesses. 1 They would benefit no more from EV charging than they would from any new business or housing project that requires electricity. Perhaps big oil is just a little concerned about losing market share!

References:

1. '1997 Air Quality Management Plan,~ South Coast Air Quality Management District.

2. "1994 California State Implementation Plan for Ozone, Volume 11, Mobile Source and consumer products Elements Page I-17. Chart of on-road improved control technology measures. Only heavy-duty diesel measures and accelerated requirements for Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles get greater emissions reductions.

3. .'Driving out Pollution: The Benefits of Electric Vehicles," Union of Concerned Scientists, November 1994

4. "Money Down the Pipeline: Uncovering the Hidden Subsidies to the Oil Industry," Union of Concerned Scientists, September, 1995

5. Domestic Fuels Alliance

6. ~Oil Imports, Taxpayer Subsidies and the Petroleum Industry," Citizen Action, May 1995

Simplify

I think that it would be great. There has been such a movement lately to simplify our lives. And quite honestly that was a major motivation for me with our first conversion.  I really got sick and tired of dragging a car to some indignant "service" station every few months for an oil change, smog check or some problem or another. The EV1 has been and I expect to be by far the least service intensive car I will have owned.

Another idea for an ad would be to have a picture of the EV1 on a golf course with

GM has done some beautiful photography in their brochures, but we no longer see those type of graphical ads. Which is what grabs people visually. We all know it is the visual that people spot when we are driving down the street. Then point excitedly to and shout to their friends "There's an electric car!" I kind of like making peoples/kids day. You know they go home and tell others that they saw an electric car today. ;-)

Sandy Kapteyn

		Return to the EV1 Club Home Page