Which Way, L.A.?
EVs, PHEVs, Hybrids, and the Future of Driving
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.
By Warren Olney • • 30m ListenCalifornia 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.
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.
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
Rogers' article on the governor's clean-air proposal
California Air Resources Board (ARB)
