Legislation in California Will Allow Zero Emission Vehicles with 1 Person
in Car Pool Lanes
Letters of Support Needed Now!
CHULA VISTA, Calif., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- BAT International (OTC Bulletin Board: BAAT - news) is strongly
supporting efforts of the California Legislature to allow zero emission (ZEV) and inherently low emission (ILEV) vehicles
access to carpool or HOV lanes with just one occupant. A bill has been introduced by Assemblyman Cunneen (AB 71) that
will allow ILEV and ZEV vehicles access to HOV lanes for a limited time period as a market incentive to encourage California
drivers to purchase clean fueled vehicles. The bill would insure that HOV lanes, which are now largely underutilized, would be
more fully used to reduce congestion, while offering a strong incentive to consumers to buy new clean car technology.
The legislation is very important because there are requirements that 10% of new cars in California in 2003 be zero emission or
equivalent ZEV (approximately 170,000 cars). The success of this mandate is strongly dependent on auto companies gearing
up to produce the vehicles at a reasonable cost so the market introduction is successful. The availability of a strong market
incentive such as carpool lane access can be extremely important to people who have lots of money, but no time and will pay a
premium for a vehicle that gives them this faster commute option. This insures early market acceptance of vehicles when there
may be a price differential with gasoline vehicles.
BAT has been involved in the past to get similar legislation through the California Legislature. Two years ago a bill was
sponsored by BAT and proposed to various Senators and Assemblypersons that provided HOV lane access for ZEVs. After
a concerted grass roots effort, the bill passed both the Assembly and Senate, but was vetoed by Governor Wilson in
connection with a major lobbying effort by the oil companies. Bill Wason, Vice-President of BAT, originally drafted a bill in
1995 & 1996 that was introduced to the Legislature for the first time and is very similar to the ILEV bill that has been
introduced by As. Cunneen this year.
Several of BAT's subsidiaries are involved in efforts to manufacture fuel cells and high power batteries that will provide the
power pack necessary to have a zero emission vehicle achieve the same range, acceleration and performance of current
gasoline and diesel vehicles. The pace of production ramp-up will definitely be aided by the availability of a strong incentive in
the marketplace that will encourage major auto companies to manufacture electric and fuel cell powered vehicles.
The legislation is partly the result of Federal EPA regulations that provide access to HOV lanes for ILEV vehicles that belong
to fleets of 10 or more vehicles affected by Clean Fuel Fleet Rules. The 1994 regulation requires that all states provide access
to HOV lanes for any fleet vehicles that have certified their vehicles to meet ILEV emission standards. Inherently Low Emission
Vehicle (ILEV) standards refer to vehicles with no evaporative emissions, even with the fuel canister disengaged (natural gas,
electric or fuel cell powered vehicles). The EPA regulation could present enforcement problems for the California Highway
Patrol, since it would be difficult to distinguish between fleet or non-fleet clean fuel vehicles.
BAT has set up a new legislative section in their web site (www.baat.com) to help interested parties write letters in support of
legislation that will insure success of clean fuel vehicles. In conjunction with this effort, BAT is encouraging all shareholders,
e-mail information partners and others to write letters in support of this bill. Sample letters have been posted on their web site
at www.baat.com. Letters can be sent by fax to (916) 319-2124 or by e-mail to jimcunneen@asm.ca.gov and in addition a fax
copy to (916) 445-2209. |
