Electric Vehicles

State Sen. Tom Hayden’s article (Commentary, March 25) on promoting an electric vehicle industry for Los Angeles accurately describes the potential for such an initiative to revitalize the state’s economy, meet environmental goals and diversify energy use in the transportation sector. While we agree with Hayden’s enthusiasm for electric vehicles, we must correct his characterization of the state’s and the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) efforts in developing electric vehicles.

Hayden claims that the CEC spent $1 million in ratepayer monies to put 30 “model” electric vehicles in fleets around the state in 1989. In fact, we have only co-funded three electric vehicles at a total cost of $60,000. Moreover, no ratepayer funds have ever been expended by the CEC for electric vehicle development. The only funds that we have used have been appropriated by the Legislature from the federal Petroleum Violation Escrow Account (PVEA). These funds are available as a result of court settlements with oil companies that overcharged consumers for their products in the 1970s and 1980s.

The so-called “lead sled” Hayden is referring to is probably the General Motors “Conceptor.” While this vehicle has compromised performance, it is not without its attributes as an early demonstration of electric vehicle technology. So far these are the only electric vehicles that have successfully passed federal crash testing requirements. In addition, these vans were the first factory produced electric vehicles in North America. They were never intended to be a commercial product. Rather, they were the first step along the path to commercialization of electric vehicle technology.

We share Hayden’s vision of using electric vehicles to turn swords into plowshares. The state’s technological industries have a great opportunity to utilize their expertise to solve California’s transportation problems and market their products worldwide. That is why the CEC has contributed $2 million to the Cal-Start consortium--a group of 40-plus California aerospace and high-technology firms collaboratively developing advanced electric vehicle products. . By the end of this year we will have 22 more electric vehicles of a variety of designs and manufacturers in various demonstration fleets. All of these vehicles are designed to advance the commercial readiness of electric vehicle technology.

CHARLES R. IMBRECHT, Chairman

California Energy Commission

Sacramento