Plug-In Partners is a non-profit organization working to bring mass produced plug-in hybrids to the US auto market. One aspect of their strategy is to form partnerships with local governments. By passing this proposed resolution, San Mateo County will join local governments around the Bay Area and the country as part of the Plug-In Partners national campaign.
Joining the national campaign commits the County to the following actions:
1) direct staff to consider future purchases of plug-in hybrid vehicles, including fleet orders
2) make a commitment to support local, state and federal policies that will promote plug-in hybrid vehicles; and
3) work with the local government, education, business and environmental communities to advocate for the purchase of plug-in hybrid vehicles
Each of these actions is designed to stimulate demand for plug-in hybrid vehicles, thereby creating a market for auto manufacturers to fill.
This resolution also affords the County the opportunity to supplement the ARB’s efforts to foster the commercialization of zero-emission vehicles. The ARB’s zero-emission vehicle program requires auto manufacturers serving the state to phase in the production of zero-emission vehicles. The regulation’s goal is to achieve mass commercialization of zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles by the year 2025.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, although not fully zero-emission, play a role in fostering the development of true zero-emission vehicles. According to the ARB, “[Plug-in hybrids] have the potential to provide significant direct benefits and to foster future mass market [zero-emission vehicles] by stimulating battery development and conditioning mass market customers to accept plugging in”.
In conjunction with the ARB’s zero emission vehicle program, this resolution should hasten the production of plug-in hybrids and, eventually, zero emission vehicles.
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