For some time, we've been saying that getting California Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger's attention about plug-in cars would be
critical in achieving our goals in California. We were glad when he
got quick tours of their PHEV prototypes from Toyota and GM at last
November's LA Auto Show -- see our report at
http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/881.html and photos at
http://www.calcars.org/photos-leaders.html .

Now here's a Part II report from Michael Bender, CalCars' webmaster
and general volunteer.

Two weeks ago, just before taking a road-trip vacation up to Seattle
and its first Green Festival, I represented CalCars at the Green
California Summit and Exposition held at the large Convention Center
in downtown Sacramento (April 7-9).

We showcased a recently-converted PHEV at the booth of iCel Systems
and the National Electrical Contractors Association/International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers of Greater LA. The conversion came
from startup Plugin Supply, based on the open-source EAA-PHEV method.

On arriving the first day of exhibition, I found the front of our car
was facing the aisle and passers-by. And our booth's position
appeared to be unfortunate -- in the distant back left corner from
the main entrance. I tried to make the best of both "problems" by
having literature (and myself) visible and stringing an extension
cord out far enough in front to catch people's
attention. (Ordinarily, the open, out-facing trunk and large battery
pack with dangling plug would do this trick.)

In any case, we had modest traffic most of the first day, despite
the fact that this well-publicized and well-run show attracted a
mostly well-heeled crowd. Compared to the Green Festivals mentioned
above, the crowds here were more "hoity toity" (corporate and
government agencies) than "hoi polloi" (grassroots). Of course, both
top-down and bottom-up are needed in the plug-in campaign.

At about four in the afternoon, however, my opinion of our booth
position and our visitors changed in the blink of an eye. With a turn
of my head, I found myself nearly face-to-face with none other than
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had stealthily entered via the
rear corner so as not to draw too much attention.

Though I'm a bit "spotlight averse," I couldn't be very discreet
facing an entourage of roughly 20, and a crowd with cameras quickly
forming. My immediate instinct was to extend my hand and offer to
answer his questions. Having just shaken my hand, and seeing the
"100+ MPG" signs along with the plug prop in front of the car, he
politely and deftly obliged -- asking if over 100 MPG was really
possible, how long it took to charge, and if there were a way to
charge it quicker than overnight.

I'll never know if he fully appreciated my answers or, to be sure,
what exactly and entirely he was looking at, especially since it's
always difficult to communicate concisely and precisely in what is
really a brief, questioner-directed and one-try-only event.

Thinking back, I might have compared charging time to that of the
Tesla Roadster he'll soon get, or to show or "sell" a few other
features, but all things considered, I think we (CalCars, myself, the
vehicle, etc.) made a positive impression. Given the Governor's
long-time enthusiasm for a someday "Hydrogen Highway", perhaps my
best "line" was to point to the extension cord and, as do Felix
Kramer and Jim Woolsey, indicate it was all the infrastructure that
was required. Nevertheless, after leaving our booth, the next
vehicle he headed towards was a fuel cell prototype being displayed
in the California Department of General Services booth next to ours.

To finish the story, we did have one more visitor of note. The next
day, with a slightly smaller entourage and attracting far fewer
paparazzi, we were visited by our Lieutenant Governor, John
Garamendi, having delivered a Featured Address. A little less
pressed for time than his immediate superior (and able to see the
battery pack in the trunk, since by then we had turned the car
around), Mr. Garamendi and I had a calmer and more extended
conversation about plug-in hybrids. Mentioning that he had a Prius
and would like to get it converted, I was pleased that he voluntarily
picked up a handout by our partner Plugin Supply, now offering very
reasonably priced conversion kits.

We present photos of Gov. Schwarzenegger this month at
http://www.calcars.org/photos-leaders.html , and scroll down to see
Lieutenant Governor Garamendi with a PHEV in October 2006. It is my
hope that our advocacy and their interest will eventually convert
these and other influential people, in turn expediting conversion of
many more than just their one or two vehicles and mass production of
PHEVs. That is, after all, our main goal ... (reread our home page,
browse our whole site and spread the word!).

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Felix Kramer fkramer@...
Founder California Cars Initiative
http://www.calcars.org
http://www.calcars.org/news-archive.html
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