just got this email from Zenn Dealer "Who Killed the Electric Car?" is today playing out once again. In October, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 provided for significant tax credits for people who purchase plug-in electric vehicles beginning in 2009. However, since then, the language of the bill has been modified to EXCLUDE most electric vehicles, including Neighborhood Electric vehicles like ZENN plus all EV conversions. Montana's Senator Max Baucus chairs the Senate Subcommittee that is writing the rules for this program. It's not too late for you to make a difference by writing a letter to the Senator's office about your thoughts on EVs. Conversions and NEVs are affordable "bridge" products that get us to the day in late 2010 or 2011 when the Chevy Volt (projected MSRP $45,000 )is expected to be released in California, Arizona and New York, with other states to follow. In my prior post is a letter the S.A.V.E organization in Helena, Montana sent to Senator Baucus' office about the EV tax credit. Your comments to Senator Baucus would certainly add credibility. Here's the link to Senator Baucus email address: Max Baucus, Senator from Montana Here's what I wrote to Senator Baucus, which you are welcome to base your letter on: Re: HR 1424 - The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 TITLE II--TRANSPORTATION AND DOMESTIC FUEL SECURITY PROVISIONS: Section 205 - Credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles. Dear Senator Baucus, As chair of the U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee, I respectfully ask you to consider expanding HR1424's tax credits for plug-in electric vehicles to include "Neighborhood Electric Vehicles." NEVs are the ONLY electric vehicles Montanans and all Americans can actually purchase and drive RIGHT NOW. Many of us drive electric cars for everyday personal transportation around our cities and towns, running errands, driving to work, and even commuting. 90% of the streets in Montana's cities and towns are speed limited to 25 MPH. The vast majority of driving done by Americans is in-town driving for short distances. NEVs are ideal for these applications, able to go about 40 miles on a charge, and legally permitted to drive 25 MPH (or 35 according to recent state laws in MT, WA, OK, TN, and MN). Many like-minded citizens don't want to wait 3 to 5 more years to see if highway speed luxury plug-in electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt and Tesla Roadster become available when there are practical and inexpensive street legal, all-electric cars and light-trucks available today. Unlike the Volt, which is expected to sell for $45,000, or the Tesla, which sells for over $110,000+, NEV such as MilesEV (Miles Electric Vehicles) sell for well under $20,000, batteries included. If you are interested in knowing how Montanans (and many other Americans) are already driving electric cars, I'd enjoy the opportunity to speak with you or your staff. I am an owner of two electric vehicles and I live in Bozeman where I run a small business called "Eco Auto Inc." For the past few years, I've been promoting and selling electric cars, scooters, and bicycles to folks in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. I am co-authoring a book titled "Electrifying Rides: A Revolution in Motion." It's about the history of electric cars, and is expected to be released late in 2009. Like many Americans, I am passionate about our nation's move towards energy independence. Not allowing NEV's to benefit from the plug-in tax credit severely limits their potential acceptance as viable "green" transportation. Sincerely, Ron Gompertz CEO / Founder Eco Auto Inc. 920 West Main Street Bozeman, MT 59715 Montana Auto Dealer 06D028 "Green Machines for a Cooler World" now i have no verification of this, but Ron is a pretty active member of the Yahoo Zenn forum and is pretty knowledgeable. he is one of the people responsible for Montana being one of the first states to allow NEV's to drive 35 mph. but if this is the case, we need to be heard. write who you have to, even if its just the editorial section of your local paper...
heck i dont know. was kinda wondering that as well.... wanted to put it in main forum, but i think its more of an environmental thing. it does say that "EV mod" also dont qualify. something that hymotion people might be interested in hearing about
