Environmental Press # 243

Subj: Electric Vehicles gather in Griffith Park. Some pics
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003 16:54:56 -0700
From: Doug Korthof <doug@seal-beach.org>
To: voiceforveterans@aol.com (via list)

Hi,
You can see some pics of the EV event at Griffith Park in Los Angeles on
http://DrivingTheFuture.com/grifpark

You can comment on the pictures, new comments get added. Feel free to add arguments or ideas.

A number of drivers signed on to the idea of resisting further confiscations. If you have an EV and would like legal assistance in retaining it, or if you just want to help out with the campaign to reverse California's killing of the Zero Emission Vehiclem mandate, please just email me back.

Perhaps it's just a dream, but we imagine somehow being ABLE TO BUY AN EV ON THE OPEN MARKET, WITHOUT TRICK or ARTIFICE.

 

All who have experienced the power and hostility of the big oil and auto interests know of their seemingly illicit and apparently unethical tactics to demean, put off, discourage and overcharge the potential EV customer. Their anger at being forced to make EVs boils over to animosity to us hapless drivers and would-be customers.

Doug

Some of the arguments, as I remember:

1) These cars are fun to drive (a surprising number of pilots like the EV1, it reminded me of the effortless power of takeoff also)
2) Electric cars challenge the oil companies
3) Also challenge the logistic-support model for profitable aftersales, since they don't break down
4) GM was never serious about the program, they never had it set up for mass production, they would have been baffled if more than 500 people wanted them -- just as Toyota cancelled the program when their hand-build quota was sold. It wasn't the lack of demand, it was there was too much demand
5) Electric car drivers challenge global warming and dependence on foreign oil
6) EV1 are now being scrapped in a salvage yard, should be sold X-warranty to willing buyers

Here is what Paul Scott wrote:
"...just got back from meeting with Peter Imber of ABC News at Griffith Park in LA. There were 16 EV1s and about 10 Ravs, a Think City and a conversion. We were asked to stand in a group in front of the EV1s and respond independently to questions from reporter, Bill (didn't catch his last name). It was a great feeling to be able to tell the story in full to the national news. Bill asked good questions and our responses were on the money. "Peter says they will cut a 2-3 minute segment and it will run
either Saturday or Sunday. I believe the show is called ABC World News Tonight, so watch for it. "I want to express how valuable it is when a group of us gets together
to talk about EVs in front of the news like this. Our story is so powerful because of its truth and the importance of what EVs mean to our health and security. When you hear all these intelligent, passionate people speak these truths all in one place, it really makes an impact. Even though many of you will be losing your EV1s over the next few months, we need your help to continue talking about this issue whenever the opportunity arises. The problems associated with driving ICE age cars will not go away, they will only get worse, so the need for EVs will continue to grow..."

You can potentially join the RAV4 Email list (very high volume)
at http://www.e-farm.com/mailman/listinfo/rav4-ev

Back to T.O.C. 3