A recharge for the electric car
At one time, California had the toughest electric vehicle mandate in the country. Tomorrow, California Air Resources Board will update what's left of the state's zero-emissions program. Sarah Gardner has more.
An all-electric vehicle is exhibited in Santa Monica, Calif. (David McNew/Getty Images)
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Renita Jablonski: Talking about gas prices the other day with friends led to a conversation about that documentary from a couple years back, "Who Killed The Electric Car?" If you're a fan of the flick, you may be interested in what's happening today in Sacramento.
Electric vehicle activists, including former CIA director James Woolsey, will urge California regulators to revive the state's once groundbreaking zero-emissions vehicle program. From the Marketplace Sustainability Desk, Sarah Gardner has more.
Sarah Gardner: At one time, California had the toughest electric vehicle mandate in the country. It wanted 10 percent EV's by 2003. But the state backed away from its aggressive demands under pressure from the auto industry.
The film "Who Killed The Electric Car?" blamed the California Air Resources Board, in part, for the car's demise. Tomorrow, that same state board, known as CARB, will update what's left of California's zero-emissions program.
Chelsea Sexton is an activist featured in the 2006 documentary:
Chelsea Sexton: And I would love to see CARB step up and decide to lead this again. We led once, we kind of gave it away, and we could certainly take it back.
Few, however, expect California to re-instate its original electric vehicle mandate. In fact, CARB's staff is recommending a stronger focus on hybrids and other alternative vehicles.
That may cost them the good guy role in a planned sequel to the 2006 film. Working title? Who Saved The Electric Car?
I'm Sarah Gardner for Marketplace.
