EVs, PHEVs, Hybrids, and the Future of Driving

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California has abolished its requirement that auto-makers develop Zero Emission Vehicles, and that could mean the end of the electric car. But not everybody wants to drive a gas-guzzling SUV, as confirmed by the rapidly growing market for hybrids, and people who leased EV-1s from General Motors and Rav-4s from Toyota are up in arms because their non-polluting vehicles are being taken away, scrapped or recycled. Is hydrogen power in your future? What about a plug-in hybrid that gets 67 miles to the gallon and goes to the gas station three or four times a year? Warren Olney speaks with a mechanical engineer about what's next in engine design, and with an angry EV driver, whose car is being taken away.
  • Making News: Check Rules
    Governor Schwarzenegger wants to increase the cost of vehicle registrations by $6. The trade-off is fewer smog checks-and reduced air pollution. Paul Rogers, who reports for the San Jose Mercury-News, says the additional revenue would help fund programs that reduce diesel pollution, the most harmful type of smog particulate.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Lakers' Loss Is Good for Game, League
    The Lakers got crushed last night and lost a championship they were supposed to win. LA Times columnist Bill Plashke blames it on the -failure of excess and the danger of ego,- an apt account of a team of superstars that was excessively egotistical all season. Marty Burns, who writes for SportsIllustrated.com, says when a team like the Pistons, with no superstar, beats a team with four Hall of Famers, may be very good for professional basketball.

Governor Schwarzenegger's smog-reduction strategy

Carl Moyer Program

Rogers' article on the governor's clean-air proposal

California Air Resources Board (ARB)

Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs)

General Motors EV1

Honda Civic Hybrid, Insight

Toyota-s Rav-4 EV

National Basketball Association (NBA) CHampionship

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton