National Electric Drag Racing Association joins Broad Coalition of Industry, Local Government and Environmental Groups to Support Electric Vehicles and Freedom from Oil.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 7, 2011
Port Townsend, WA – Today the National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA) joined more than 180 local and national companies and organizations to show their support for plug-in electric vehicle (EV) policies and infrastructure –demonstrating the groundswell of support in all regions of the country for EV innovation and the types of policies needed to make it successful.
In a joint statement
http://www.sierraclub.org/electric-vehicles/downloads/ev_field_signon_statement.pdf, NEDRA called for strong programs on the national, state and local levels to put more plug-in electric vehicles on the road and create more American jobs, less pollution and greater energy security.
“We are at a tipping point where a looming energy crisis is bringing about current innovation in the field of electric transportation. Electric vehicles are not new however, nor are they an immature technology. The only thing that has held them back from becoming wide spread is market conditions related to relatively inexpensive petroleum fuels. Folks are starting to see the economic and environmental benefits to driving electric vehicles and we as a nation should encourage their use” quote from Mike Willmon, President, NEDRA.
The National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA), a specialized chapter of the Electric Auto Association
http://www.electricauto.org/, exists to increase public awareness of electric vehicle (EV) performance and to encourage through competition, advances in electric vehicle technology. NEDRA achieves this by organizing and sanctioning safe, silent and exciting electric vehicle drag racing events.
NEDRA is a coalition of drag racing fans, electric drag racing vehicle owners and drivers, individuals interested in promoting the sport of EV drag racing, EV parts suppliers, EV manufacturers and other environmentally concerned companies and individuals. Working together as a group, we put excitement into electric vehicle drag racing.
http://nedra.com/.
“Whether they are automakers, smart grid technology companies, electrical workers, environmentalists or just ordinary consumers, Americans are clamoring for electric vehicles,” said Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club. “By ensuring a strong standard of at least 60 miles per gallon for cars and small trucks in 2025, we will be able to make the switch to electric vehicles sooner, reducing dangerous pollution significantly and helping to break our nation’s dangerous addiction to oil.”
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The groups laid out in the statement recommendations for building a robust national EV program, including the following:
1. Expand national, regional, and local efforts such as EV charging stations and infrastructure to support electric vehicles in communities.
2. Remove unnecessary bureaucratic and market obstacles to vehicle electrification nationwide through a variety of policies that
· bolster nationwide installation of and access to basic charging infrastructure, both at people’s homes and in public places;
· incentivize the purchase of electric vehicles and EV charging equipment and streamline the permitting application process for EV charging equipment;
· educate the public about the benefits of EVs and the costs, opportunities, and logistical considerations involved with EV charging infrastructure;
· ensure appropriate training for workers installing EV charging equipment and for first responders;
· encourage utilities to provide attractive rates and programs for EV owners and increase off-peak charging;
· assist in deployment of clean energy, efficiency, and energy management technologies jointly with vehicle charging; and
· accelerate advanced battery cost reduction by boosting EV use in fleets, in second use, and in stationary applications.
3. Ensure U.S. leadership in manufacturing of EVs, batteries and components, and creating good American jobs.
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