Fans and supporters of Plug-In Hybids and CalCars
(this message is archived at
<http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/calcars-news/message/174>)

The California Cars Initiative (CalCars.org), a non-profit organization,
has received a grant
"to participate in public events where we showcase plug-in hybrid cars and
educate audiences about the technology and its benefits."

This support comes from the Energy Foundation <http://www.ef.org>, the
consortium of the Hewlett, MacArthur, McKnight, Mertz Gilmore and Packard
Foundations, formed to act jointly to fund ambitious projects with a global
scope. The Energy Foundation has sponsored NRDC's Biofuels study, the
National Commission on Energy Policy, and a broad program in China. (The
foundation is very specific about what they DON'T fund: see
<http://www.ef.org/contact.cfm>.)

The grant gives us modest additional resources to provide visibility for
PHEVs.

Of equal importance is the fact of our being funded by EF, which describes
its grant-making role as "providing resources to the institutions that most
effectively leverage change." This support comes at the right time.

THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE PITCH

If you think CalCars has already made a difference -- by increasing
awareness of a compelling solution to the intersecting problems of global
warming, energy security and economic development -- even more exciting
news is on the way.

We have excellent near-term prospects, with partners, to take the next
steps and build enough plug-in hybrids, IN COOPERATION WITH AN AUTO MAKER,
to rapidly accelerate their adoption. We can't provide more details now. We
ask you to believe us, based on our track record -- and our aversion to hype.

CalCars has two full-time volunteers (Founder Felix Kramer and Technology
Lead Ron Gremban). We can make all this happen -- if CalCars gets more
muscle and more people. We can't watch this opportunity slip away.

We need to pay for equipment, technical and administrative assistants and
our salaries -- we simply can't continue otherwise. We need to get to
crucial meetings in places ranging from Vancouver to Texas to Connecticut
-- and Michigan. You can help us get there!

IF YOU'VE EVER THOUGHT OF CONTRIBUTING TO CALCARS, OR IF YOU'VE GIVEN AND
COULD GIVE MORE -- THIS IS THE TIME.

Our time frames are too short for foundation proposals. We need large
donors. If you're in a position to give in the thousands, please consider
it. If you know high-wealth individuals who recognize that we'll deliver a
big bang for their bucks, write to info@.... We'll send back a
one-page pitch you can pass along. (Please change the subject line of your
message to something catchy like "Contribution" to get our attention.)

Now it's up to every fan of flex-fuel plug-in hybrids. If you've given in
the past, double up on your stake. Give $95 to become a Charter Sponsor.
Give less if that's all you can afford. If the 2,587 people on the
CalCars-News list each contribute $95, we raise $245,765.

It's tax-deductible, and you can do it by credit card, PayPal or check at
<http://www.calcars.org/sponsor.html>.

THE COMING WEEKS ARE ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL. Have you ever given generously to
a cause or candidate? Think of CalCars as a package, blending a national
political campaign and a humanitarian rescue operation -- and consider
contributing accordingly.

Thanks as always for your support and for the help you've given in so many
ways.
-- Felix

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Felix Kramer fkramer@...
Founder California Cars Initiative
http://www.calcars.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/calcars-news
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/priusplus
http://www.hybridcars.com/blogs/power
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