Comment Log Display

Dear Ms. Nichols,
     I'm a member of the GM-Volt Nation interest group, and last
night I attended the "GM Volt Nation Townhall Meeting" at the New
York Auto Show where GM Vice Chairman for Product Development, Bob
Lutz, stated that "the Chevy Volt will change the way America
drives; like the Model T, it will revolutionize transportation in
America".  More details on our website at www.freedomformula.org
.

Ms Nichols, I'm afraid the CARB may enact regulations that do not
encourage the type of vehicle (a gas-electric Plug-In Series
Hybrid) represented by the Chevy Volt; WHICH DELIVERS A NET EFFECT
OF 150 MILES PER GALLON when analyzed against the average
American's driving patterns.  Please make sure the CARB doesn't
lose sight of their end goal, which is to reduce fuel consumption
and therefore EVERY FORM OF POLLUTANT AND CONTAMINANT THAT COMES
OUT OF AN EXHAUST PIPE. 

So, let's cut to the core issue and encourage the CARB to get out
of the technology game and instead address the BOTTOM LINE, which
is the total fossil fuel impact of vehicles sold statewide by each
manufacturer.  Simply stated, something like: 
"The total emissions of all cars you sell in CA (in terms of
gallons of fuel consumed) must drop by 10% (compared to 2007) in
2012 and drop 5% per year after that, until we have a net
reduction of 75%.  You can use any technologies, combination of
hybrids, smaller-lighter cars, all-electric, fuel-cell, hydrogen
etc, only THE BOTTOM LINE counts.

It's not the TECHNOLOGY, it's the EFFICIENCY. I'd LOVE for Gov
Schwarzeneger to adopt a twist on Bill Clinton's famous mantra,
namely..."IT'S THE EFFICIENCY STUPID!"  Can't you hear it; with
the same accent and tempo as "I'll Be Back".

Physics dictates how much energy is required to accelerate a car
from 0 to V miles/hour ( using the formula E = (1/2)mV2 ); so the
real question that CARB should regulate is "HOW MUCH FUEL DID IT
TAKE TO GET YOU TO V"?  That figure (Energy / Amount of Fuel) is
called EFFICIENCY; thus "It's The Efficiency Stupid"; and a series
hybrid is 50% more efficient than a conventional car.  So let's ask
a simple question of the Board:

"Is it better for the state of California if by 2015 :
1. 20% of the cars reduce fuel consumption by 50% or
2. 1% of the cars reduce fuel consumption by 100%?

Answer: Option 1 is TEN TIMES BETTER !
  
So just focus on the BOTTOM LINE, keep the formulas simple and
keep the end goal in sight by reducing fuel consumption and
therefore EVERY pollutant associated with it.  And most of all,
keep the potential solutions affordable for a large percentage of
California's citizens.

Yours Truly,

Dr. D. Mark Haines, Director
Freedom Formula Foundation
7777 N. Wickham Rd, Ste 12-118
Suntree, FL  32940
www.freedomformula.org 
(321)917-5323