A Simple Action to get those Electric Cars Rolling

In Cars After The Age of Oil where the question was asked "how you will get around after the Oil Age, kossacks?" it sure looks like the free market is finally taking action.

It is time to start planning for the coming age and to get our government interested in this new era too. There are many actions that should be taken at every level of government.

Since so many of the suburbs have grown into multiple dwelling units, many Americans who would be able to commute to work without burning a drop of gasoline will end up having no place to plug in their new automobiles and the time for that action is now.  

In this free market multiple dwelling units will not invest in installing electric outlets at tenant parking spaces. While it it certain that these actions will be taken in co-ops and condominiums someday, that day will be a long time coming and rental tenants who have no say will never see that day without government assistance.

In order to fill the promise of lowered emissions and lessened dependence on foreign oil our government has to start incentives to get landlords, and condominium boards installing electric outlets at tenants' and shareholders' parking spaces.

   

Whatever age is coming, 2010 offers several electric cars and the EV with range extender. Of course these extended range electric cars are not the only upcoming passenger vehicle that will benefit from an AC outlet at every semi-private parking space in America. Every electric car and the upcoming plug in hybrid would have a much wider appeal if more Americans have a place to plug them in.

I'm sure you've heard of the Chevy Volt that will start delivery in late 2110. It is a radical departure from everything on the market because while it does have an internal combustion engine, in this vehicle the gas burner isn't even connected to the wheels.

The reason these vehicles will be popular with Americans in the first stage of getting away from our oil addiction is that extended range that Americans will love. Americans are not fond of limitations and many of the upcoming EV's sound like an inconvenience. Instead of a charging radius and a point of no return, with this new car at the end of the electrical range the onboard fossil fuel charger will take anyone wherever they want to go.

It is unlike the promised Plug in Prius that offers only higher mileage. The Chevy Volt will offer most Americans the opportunity to drive to work without burning a drop of gasoline!  

When it comes to plugging in, the Volt will be designed to use a common 110–volt household plug. For someone who drives less than 40 miles a day, Chevy Volt will use zero gasoline and produce zero emissions. For longer trips, Chevy Volt's range-extending power source kicks in to recharge the lithium-ion battery pack as required.

This vehicle that can go a long way in restoring Chevrolet's bad reputation would offer Americans who have a place to plug in both at home and at work an eighty mile commute with zero emissions. It is true that not much of that electricity will be coming from wind power or solar energy at this time, so it is not really zero emissions but the Chevy Volt has the capacity to substantially eliminates the use of petroleum as a fuel.

With all the talk about a green economy this would be a great first step that would be an all American effort that could really improve our outlook. If our local governments got involved a brand new workplace topic of conversation will be how many days have gone by since fossil fuel has been used. Even the big SUV driver who couldn't care less would have to see that plug in on the way to work each morning.

This automobile sounds like a great jumpstart for American industry. What's not to love about an American corporation that is doing something so good for the environment? Both the company and the GM workforce, just like this green earth, deserve a little incentive to help jump start the Volt.

But all of this beautiful American ingenuity found in the Chevy Volt will be a white elephant if most Americans don't have a place to plug in at home. Government incentives, real estate abatements, federal rebates or subsidized installations should be under way right now so that auto manufactures have a green light for increased production.

A promised tax deduction to buyers of American electric vehicles would also create an anticipation of increased demand. Increased mass production and new American jobs is really a place for our government to get involved.

Action on a federal level may be hard to come by but through letters to the editor, radio show call ins and pleas with our elected officials the local governments may come through and help this new age getting under way. If such a move would benefit your community you could try writing to your local government and newspapers to get these actions started now instead of more of what Americans have come to expect. Some public action taking place could get our governments to offer the necessary assistance to create a new program that will create many high paying jobs for contract electricians and electrical workers.  

Luckily the technology already exists for an outlet at every parking space. I'm sure this happened in many municipalities but here in New York City where there were many apartments buildings that received electricity as a common charge, the utility company put a change to that through rebates. Back in the early 1990's Con Edison needed to cut back on demands and decided people would use less electricity if they started receiving itemized bills. So they offered a $350 rebate per apartment to any buildings that installed individual electric meters.

By the end of the rebate period totally maintenance free meters were being designed and installed. I've have one from the last generation in my closet for about twelve years. About the size of a modem this box has been sending data to the billing computer in my complex and the kilowatt hours have been converted to a cash sum without any labor involved.

With ten years of advances in technology the meter could be the size of a watch and much cheaper. Since it would be more complicated than just adding a meter to an exiting circuit breaker box and will call for new AC distribution there will be added labor and material cost but following the national electric code indoor garages would be a cinch. For outdoor parking lots simple electric raceways could be made inside rubberized speed bumps with all weather outlets at each parking spot.

How about New York City? Recently I sent a letter to my mayor and city council members calling for a reintroduction of congestion pricing only with the funds guaranteed to public transportation and an exemption for zero emissions vehicles. Wouldn't you buy an electric car if it cost you eight dollars less per day to drive to work?

After the thoughtful response I've received from the mayor's office I'm composing a letter to Mayor Bloomberg calling for an electric outlet incentive. In the letter I am suggesting that the annual $400 real estate tax rebate be suspended to free up funds for such a program. I am also mentioning the legacy improvement factor, how Mayor Bloomberg could leave office as the man who turned New York into Chevy Volt City.

With an outgoing mayor hoping to leave an environmental mark, New York may be the perfect proving ground for such a program. For an ambitious mayor what could be better than not only saving New York's air but also restoring the economy in a far away city. Do you remember a "chicken in every pot," well how about "An outlet at every parking spot."

Would you join me in my effort? You don't even need to be from New York City to ask mayor Bloomberg. Just mention the fact that you are a concerned citizen and since the media follows the actions in New York such a move could get other cities interested.