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Plug and Go - The California Cars Initiative 100 MPG Plus

The Cars We Can Have Now and for the Next Ten+ Years

The growing costs of U.S. dependence on oil have hit home. Factor in world insecurity, economic instability, and it's clear we pay a lot more to fill up our cars than the price on the pump. And with the threat of global warming, it's clear we need to use much less oil. How can we start to change?

The century-old gasoline-powered engine is on its way out. Auto makers say the answer will someday be fuel cell cars. Maybe, but we need to get affordable cars now that use far less gas with lower greenhouse gas emissions.

A first step is already on our roads. Hybrid cars add an electric motor to a gas-powered engine to improve efficiency at slow speeds and rev up when needed. The popularity of the first hybrids caught auto makers by surprise. Yet as they scramble to catch up, they're missing the big opportunity to leapfrog to next-generation hybrids.

SEE OUR BRAND-NEW FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ).

GET OUR LATEST INFO at CalCars Newsletter Message Archive.
(To receive updates by email, use easy, free subscription box at bottom of this page.) For all press coverage, see CalCars Kudos. For where we're heading longer-term, see San Jose Mercury News story or PDF and CalCars Seeks Entrepreneurs for a Unique Environmental Opportunity (PDF).

At PRIUS+, see how we (nonprofit) and EDrive Systems, LLC (for-profit) have "green-tuned" Toyota's popular hybrid as a step toward mass-produced "gas-optional or plug-in hybrids" (GO-HEVs or PHEVs).
See photos, look in on our technical discussions at PRIUS+ PHEV Conversion Group. See the latest answers from EDrive about their conversions. Read the PRIUS+ Fact Sheet (4-page pdf or text version at Newsletter archive).

At "Kudos", see what The New York Times, TIME, Business Week, Automotive News, Wired.com and others are saying about PHEVs and CalCars. National Public Radio Science Friday on April 22 Earth Day included a 17-minute segment with host Ira Flatow and CalCars Founder Felix Kramer -- if you missed it, hear it on your computer, download it (mp3) or read the transcript. Download/watch many other clips.

View/print/distribute our 2-sided CalCars Flyer and our "Plugging In" flyer: Graphic version or Photo version (pdf).

Read our policy memos to California officials (Sept. '04 introductory and April '05 detailed), and to National Policy Leaders (Nov. '04).

Contribute (it's tax-deductible) and and get our bumper sticker.

See the beginning of a new page, CalCars and Global Warming.

The car to bridge the gap between hybrids and zero-emission vehicles has already been invented. Prototypes exist, and DaimlerChrysler is the first major car maker to begin a public development program. What are variously called gas-optional, pluggable or plug-in hybrids (GO-HEVs or PHEVs) -- are like the current hybrids, but with larger batteries. This gives drivers the ability to run entirely on electric power at highway speeds for 20+ miles. For long trips, the battery never runs down -- its gasoline engine provides the usual unlimited range. The option to recharge at night at any 120-volt outlet gives drivers a cleaner, more economical daily commute and lets them avoid gas stations for weeks at a time.

PHEVs don't require behavior change from drivers. They're easy to drive, safer and cheaper to operate in the long run. We could have them now. Using proven technologies, they can reach the market quickly. But auto makers don't believe people will buy them, so they've been reluctant to build them. Individual, organizations, companies and public officials can take actions so everyone wins.

The California Cars Initiative (CalCars) is a non-profit startup formed by a group of California entrepreneurs, engineers, environmentalists and consumers to jump-start the market for plug-in hybrids. We've built a prototype PHEV and we are harnessing the collective vision and purchasing power of individuals and corporate and government fleets. CalCars aims to engage with a major car maker to produce plug-in versions of existing sedans and SUVs.

See what people are saying about CalCars' strategy and PHEVs. Get involved in our efforts to increase consumer choices, strengthen energy security and reduce global warming. With a tax-deductible contribution, support our PRIUS+ campaign and join our Charter Sponsors. Help create the model the rest of America will follow.