Take Action to Keep EVs in Our Future

Please Stop CARB from Killing EVs a Second Time

The California Air Resources Board will be voting on March 27th on a proposal by CARB staff that would reduce the number of Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) from 25,000 to 2,500 over three years. This means the six major automakers would only make 840 ZEVs a year. CARB staff is proposing this change because the automakers say they cannot produce Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) except in tiny quantities in 2012-2014. However, they have already proven they can produce battery ZEVs, and we see no reason to wait for hydrogen.

Please see a detailed background on the CARB ZEV history for more informaton, or try our CARB ZEV FAQ. You may also want to check out CARB's page.

Please let Governor Schwarzenegger and the California Air Resources Board know your opinion.

• Step 1: Phone/FAX/write Governor Schwarzenegger (instructions below).
• Step 2: Write to the California Air Resources Board (instructions below).
• Step 3: Ask your friends to do the same.
• Step 4: Join our EV-advocates mailing list (instructions at end).

Governor Schwarzenegger

The most effective way to have your voice be heard in Governor Schwarzenegger’s office is to place a phone call. The next best way is via FAX, and the third way is by the form on his webpage.

By phone

The Governor’s phone number is 916-445-2841. Press 1, then 5, and then 0 and you will be transferred to an operator to leave your opinion about this “hot issue.” A simple phone script is as follows:

Hello, I am calling to express my objection to the California Air Resources Board’s proposed Zero Emission Vehicle changes. I support the Governor’s agenda to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the most promising way to reach this goal is to give consumers the choice to buy Zero-Emission Vehicles, like the Governor’s electric Tesla Roadster. Unfortunately, at the next California Air Resources Board meeting, they’re proposing to reduce the number of Zero-Emission Vehicles required of automakers by 90%, settling for only 2,500 from 2012-2014. Please have the Governor ask his appointed CARB chair, Mary Nichols, to (1) re-commit to the full 25,000 ZEVs that automakers had agreed to produce in 2012-2014, and (2) create a separate requirement for plug-in hybrids that lets them replace the dirtiest vehicles in CARB’s regulations. Choice for consumers means cleaner air for everyone. Hello, I'm calling about the upcoming California Air Resources Board meeting where they will discuss changes to the Zero Emissions Vehicle program. I oppose the proposed 90% reduction in the number of ZEVs. Please tell CARB that the full 25,000 ZEVs should remain a requirement. Under Governor Davis, the ZEV program was delayed by more than a decade. Does Governor Schwarzenegger want to be known as the Governor who delayed ZEVs a second decade? The ZEV goals were once 2% in 1998, 3% in 2001, and 10% in 2003. Now CARB calls for a minuscule 0.04% in 2012 to 2014. The old 1998 target is fifty times what is now being proposed for 14 years later. This is not a serious attempt to clean our air.

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By FAX

The Governor’s FAX number is (916)558-3160. You may use this form to create your own FAX message, or just compose your own.

By Internet

Use the Governor’s internet contact page to leave a message.

Alternatively, use the tools at Plug In America's Action page.

By Post

Write to:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

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California Air Resources Board

By Internet

Please use CARB’s comments form. The following is sample text you may use, or compose your own.

The ZEV goals were once 2% in 1998, 3% in 2001, and 10% in 2003, but later CARB put off clean air progress for 14 years until 2012. As that date draws near, CARB staff proposes to delay again, by cutting the target in 2012 from 0.4% to 0.04%. The new target does not even approach the number of vehicles you have previously shown to be possible. Today we have better technology and significantly raised consumer awareness, so there is no excuse for this backsliding. I ask that you put 25,000 pure ZEVs on California's roads between 2012 and 2014. If that is one fifth of the 1998 goal, but at least it is a start. Staff's proposed 840 vehicles a year is not even a start; it is an insult. You must do better. Please don’t allow the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program to backslide by giving up 90% of the ZEVs promised by automakers and settling for only 2,500 vehicles from 2012-2014. We need ZEVs, and we also need plug-in hybrids. More options for consumers mean cleaner air for everyone. I ask you to (1) re-commit to the full 25,000 ZEVs the automakers promised, (2) create a separate requirement for plug-in hybrids that lets them replace dirtier vehicles, and (3) provide incentives for plug-in hybrids that have the most on-board electricity storage. The number of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) proposed by CARB staff will automakers to backslide on their 2003 agreement and require just 2,500 true ZEVs from 2012 to 2014. Startups alone plan to introduce this many ZEVs; surely the major automakers can do better and not manipulate the system with credits. I ask that: (1) you require the full 25,000 ZEVs between 2012 and 2014 that the automakers lobbied for and agreed to in 2003; (2) that you implement a level playing field between all type sof ZEVs to get clean cars on the roads of Califorania; and (3) provide incentives for plug-in hybrids by taking from the dirtiest cars, not the cleanest ones.

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By FAX

CARB’s FAX number is (916)445-5025.

By Post

Write to:

California Air Resources Board
Headquarters Building
1001 "I" Street
P.O. Box 2815
Sacramento, CA 95812

Join our action alert mailing list

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