Monday, January 30, 2012

Thanks to Mark Learn

For the good news out of CA: California air board to vote on landmark electric-car rules

By Paul Rogers
progers@mercurynews.com
Posted: 01/25/2012 04:48:58 PM PST
Updated: 01/26/2012 09:39:09 AM PST

Link to the news story: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=8519707

Part of the story: "In a move that could reshape the American automobile industry, California regulators Thursday are expected to approve sweeping new rules requiring that 15 percent of new cars sold in California by 2025 run on electricity, hydrogen or other systems producing little or no smog.

The regulations by the California Air Resources Board, dubbed the "advanced clean car rules," would start in 2018, ramping up each year and ultimately resulting in 1.4 million "zero emission" vehicles on California roads by 2025. Today there are only about 10,000 such vehicles in the state.

This is a really large step. It's transformational," said Tom Cackette, an engineer and chief deputy director of the air board. "Ten years from now, the market is going to look quite a bit different..."

How about this part: "The air board estimates that those regulations will add $1,900 to the price of a new car by 2025 -- but will save $5,900 in gasoline costs over the life of the average vehicle."

That is a significant savings over the added costs of the car, and could get better--hopefully, not worse--as gas prices rise.

We applaud CA for again taking the lead in reducing air pollution. We now have great technology and great cars for moving away from carbon-spewing, imported oil vehicles. The economics work long-term, and the benefits to our country, financial, political, environmental, are staggering.

Starting at 15% is a good place to begin. Ending at 1005 would be nirvana.

Plug in, America, and thank you, CA, for teeing up the newest, greatest industrial revolution.

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