Green Machines

Global warming is one of today’s hot-button issues. Vehicle emissions play a large role in contributing to the global warming problem, especially here in California.

There are, however, forward-thinking individuals, companies and organizations working to offer a new wave of clean-air technology.

Some of them will be part of a special “Green Machines” exhibit at this year’s Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show, April 28-29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Half Moon Bay Airport.

You can be part of it too!

Felix Kramer's 2011 Chevy Volt Rochelle Lefkowitz and Felix Kramer in front of their Redwood City, CA home, with their personal plug-in fleet. When their 2004 Prius became the eighth hybrid converted to a PHEV in 2006 Felix became the world's first consumer owner of a PHEV. (That vehicle, currently equipped with a Hymotion battery pack, will soon go to an institution or a new owner.) In January 2011, his family became the world's first household with both new mass-produced plug-in cars.

CalCars.org

The California Cars Initiative — http://www.calcars.org — is a Palo Alto-based nonprofit startup of entrepreneurs, engineers, environmentalists and consumers promoting 100+MPG plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Somewhat uniquely, the organization itself is a hybrid, focusing both on public policy and technology development, and harnessing buyer demand to help commercialize PHEVs.

In 2009, CalCars declared victory as carmakers announced plans to mass-produce the Chevy Volt and other plukg-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles. CalCars has described what's happened since at http://www.calcars.org/photos-plugins-arrive.html.

CalCars Founder Felix Kramer will be showing his 2011 Chevy Volt at the Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show. Stop by to learn more about CalCars.

DriveClean.ca.gov

DriveClean.ca.gov is California's buying guide to the cleanest, most efficient vehicles on the market. As a website of the California Air Resources Board, the site provides smog and global warming scores for every vehicle in California so that car buyers can search and compare their options and find incentives in their area. Become our Facebook friend at Facebook.com/DriveClean for updates on the newest plug-in, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles coming to market. Stop by a see us at the Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show!

Toyota Plug-in Hybrid Prius ... this plug-in version of the Prius will be on the market in 2012

Toyota FCHV ... this is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that is currently in demonstration programs and is expected for market introduction in 2015