EV discussion in the local media-10 AM PST-suggestions?

I'm going on a local radio program to discuss EVs and energy issues later this AM.

Suggestions for what I should emphasis about the LEAF, or broader issues?

North California (that's the region north of what is called "Northern California") is economically depressed, and very "conservative", conditions perhaps not unrelated.

The Host, Doug Craig, writes a blog on environmental issues, and as you can see on the links he posts here:

http://blogs.redding.com/dcraig/archives/2011/10/electric-ed-and.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Doug's show is the one hour a week of sanity in a (otherwise) 7/24 continual tea party at this Station.

You can listen on line, and call in if you like.

Fed incentive is going to be a sore spot with that audience. It's really an investment by our gov't - not just a handout. Acknowledge that EV's are only half the solution and need to be paired with clean, local sources of electricity to truly eliminate our foreign oil dependance and the trillions we spend securing it. The alternative to the income tax incentive would be a significant gas tax but the latter would negatively impact struggling families a lot more. There is, of course, the environmental aspect, but there is so much misinformation getting manufactured that most people believe what they want (which is exactly why it is manufactured).

Those "forces" that "drive" the govt are using YOUR money to make OIL companies FILTHY RICH, instead of using it to help YOU. How long will you put up with that?

Just tell them what they want to hear.... $1/gal gas is "just around the corner" if we just stop spending on dumb stuff like health care, education, roads, etc., and get rid of all those pesky laws.

EV's are just the "devils" work by the communist dictator, foreign born, Obama. He wants our country to fail, and that's why he wants you to drive EV's, with their electric controls all monitored by the shadowy government. Subliminal messages come from the big, scary battery, converting god fearing americans into mindless muslim robots who only want to kill.

ask them:
do you like to buy gasoline?

and
How often do you drive more than 100 miles in a day?

On my way to town now.

I Don't expect too many Anti-EV comments-I doubt many Tp'ers listen to the show...

It's all about shared risk. Car production. Car buyers. Charging infrastructure. They all have to come together for it to work.

Nissan is taking a big risk producing cars without being assured of buyers. Buyers are taking a risk buying cars without being assured of charging. Retail owners are taking a risk installing charging stations without being assured of cars and customers to use them. So the government steps up as the fourth partner to share the risk. The first buyers, who risk their money before charging infrastructure is in place, get rebates. The first retailers, who risk their money before the car population is large, get subsidies. Once there are cars and drivers and charging in place, no more subsidies will be required for it to be self sustaining.

If it works, we all win: drivers get more comfortable and convenient driving at much lower cost, retailers and car companies get sales, and we all get cleaner air. The US economy gets a boost from billions of dollars staying in America. And for national security we no longer have those billions of dollars going to foreign governments who hate us and want to kill us. It's worth a little risk from all four partners: car makers, drivers, retailers, and the government.

Well put, Walter. And just to corroborate, I inquired with the California Center for Sustainable Energy and with CARB and they indicated that a decision has been made. If you received the clean vehicle rebate and decided to resell the car, because it did not work for you or you didn't like the lack of charging infrastructure, you must return the prorated balance of the rebate. There was some talk about the ability to transfer the rebate to another California buyer, but they changed their mind and they clearly want and expect early adopters to work through the issues and the difficulties that come with the ownership of an EV at this stage of the game.

Good show. I was able to catch most of it and found it fun to be quoted when I was in the chat room.

Looks like today's show 10/2/2011 will show up in the archives in a week or two: http://wakeupcallradio.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For future reference, a few things that may appeal to tea-partiers, presumably anti-tax conservatives... but I do know a few that are democrats so dont make assumptions.

You may want to preface each bullet by saying that you personally are a liberal and dont fully understand the logic, but a conservative friend of yours suggested these points:

1. the CA rebate is a travesty, the gov is lacking money to do even basic things and yet is spending money on things like this, no common sense at all.. the program that funds these rebates should be temporarily suspended until the employment rate reaches a certain rate.. this suspension acts like a temporary tax cut and will stimulate the economy.

2. the Federal Tax credit is very good, its non-progressive, it actually lowers taxes on people that actually pay taxes that year, and cannot be traded or deferred.. since it is a tax cut on the most productive members of society it will stimulate the economy.

3. everyone benefits from cleaner air, even if AGW turns out to be a crock

4. the USA benefits from importing less oil and instead spending the money locally.. this may not work in CA since they import some electricity from Mexico.

5. if you decide to go off-grid for independence, the battery can act as a storage buffer.. not at the moment but perhaps one day.. Nissan may provide a 120V inverter for powering your home in an emergency.

6. independence from big brother and big oil companies etc.

7. Government Motors and bailouts will come up, just mention that only applies to the Volt but also mention that there were National Defense considerations in bailing out GM, mention wartime production of airplanes at GM etc. Dont dis the Volt or the Prius, mention that they are appropriate for certain drivers. Mention that several companies are working to electrify pickup trucks because the need is severe.

If anyone is reading, and considering listening to the archive when available, I'll give a quick synopsis.

No real news in the first half hour, Doug and I mostly talked about the basics of Evs.

About 30 minutes in, The EV Sales Manager from Crown Nissan Redding called in, and the last half hour mostly became a LEAF infomercial, not that there is anything wrong with that...

He did give some good news for North California EV owners. He reported 7 LEAF sales and 4 on order from Crown. And he said ALL EV owners were welcome to charge at Crown (I hope I don't come in late at needing a few kWhs and find two Volts plugged in for the night).

He also said that Redding was considering putting a L2 charger in at City hall, and that Win River Casino had plans to install multiple charge points.

Nothing definite, but hopeful signs that we will get our first public L2, someday...

I was listening to the show today, and noticed the link to this broadcast is up-hit 10/2 at the archive below.

http://wakeupcallradio.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't particularly like to listen to myself, but in retrospect, I'm glad I did it.

I encourage other MNLers to try to get the word out, in their local media.

Thanks, it was an enjoyable show.