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As an electic car driver for the past eight years, I know from a
customer's point of view what a struggle it can be to adopt and use
EV's. There is virtually no support structure for EV's, and most of
the progress that has been made in this technology seems to have
come from small, independent, dedicated but undercapitalized
start-ups, supported by a small, independent and dedicated group of
EV owners.

I understand that CARB rules are being considered which may force
some of the pioneers of plug-in hybrid technology out of the market
and consequently out of business.  PLEASE consider raising the Tier
1 ceiling for emission testing to at least 100 vehicles, to make it
possible for small businesses to continue the work that they
started years ago.  Not only is this a good policy decision, but is
the moral and ethical thing to do.  Many of these good people have
put their life savings on the line to promote a public good, and
have done so without any government support.  Now that the
government is getting involved, it would be a sad day if one of the
first things CARB does is to take actions which put these people
out of business and hand over the reins of Plug In Hybrid
technology exclusively to big businesses.

Pioneers and leaders deserve to be supported and rewarded, not
destroyed.  We have already seen what happened to the EV mandate
nearly a decade ago.  Lack of support for small businesses will
ultimately erode the innovative spirit that feeds innovation.

Thank you.