[ausev] Austin Energy incentives for electric vehicles

[Tom Morgan]

The basic market problem with developing demand for electric vehicles is
that the immediate capital costs are high, even though everyone benefits
long-term from the reduced costs to the individual and to society.

I think that Austin Energy would benefit Austin more by underwriting a
financing program for electric vehicles than by a small dollar rebate.
There are many people in Austin who would purchase and operate an
electric vehicle if financing were available that reflects the actual
benefit to the city.  The financing should be flexible enough to allow
individuals to contract with converters for the purchase of a vehicle as
well as to purchase new and used vehicles.

By keeping the down payment and interest rates  affordable, Austin
Energy would both create demand for off-demand power (and with net
metering  and reciprocal connections to shave peak demand needs), reduce
transportation costs  for its customers, and help Austin comply with
Clean Air requirements.

It fits with Austin's Global Warming plan and, in light of yesterday's
Supreme Court decision, could be a nationwide precedent.

Tom Morgan

Tom Morgan
512-370-2112

-----Original Message-----
From: ausev-bounces at austinev.org [mailto:ausev-bounces at austinev.org] On
Behalf Of Gil Dawson
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007 2:58 PM
To: AustinEV News Announcements and General Discussion
Subject: Re: [ausev] Why are converted vehicles excluded from this list?

At 9:45 A -0500 4/4/07, Brian Lasseter wrote:
>We just have to figure out who can change the
>vehicle model list, and have them do it.

Excellent idea.  We might get results if we ask nicely.

If we get a flat refusal then we can start the letters and rallies.

What, exactly, would we like for the list to say?  Should we propose 
a set of standards to define an electric vehicle that doesn't have a 
manufacturer's label or model number?  Should we suggest who should 
have the responsibility of verifying that a particular vehicle meets 
these standards?  Should we suggest a process for getting changes to 
these standards reviewed and approved?

Where does the money come from?  My inner capitalist suggests that 
the businesses named on the list stand to profit a bit from this 
rebate.  My inner Nazi suggests that they may have contributed some 
small consideration toward its passage.  Perhaps we might be consider 
doing the same.

Profit and consideration are a little murky in the sale of used cars, 
however skilfully they may have been converted to electric drive.  We 
who drive electric cars would benefit in many ways, most of them 
intangible, if electric cars were to become more popular.  Should we 
ourselves be prepared to pony up a tangible recognition of this 
benefit?

--Gil

"Making laws is like making sausage" --  Who said that?
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