{{Short description|US non-profit organization}} {{Infobox non-profit | name = The California Cars Initiative | image = | type = | founded = | tax_id = | registration_id = | founder = Felix Kramer | location = [[Palo Alto, California]] | coordinates = | origins = 2002 | key_people = | region_served = | product = | focus = | method = | revenue = | endowment = | num_volunteers = | num_employees = | num_members = | subsid = | owner = | former_name = | website = http://www.calcars.org/ | dissolved = | footnotes = }} [[File:CalCars Plug in 100+ June 2006.jpg|right|thumb|[[Toyota Prius]] [[plug-in hybrid]] converted by CalCars with a [[Fuel economy in automobiles|fuel economy]] of over 100 [[miles per gallon]]]]
'''CalCars''' (also known as '''The California Cars Initiative''') was a charitable, [[non-profit organization]] founded in 2002 to promote [[plug-in hybrid]] [[electric car|electric vehicle]]s (PHEVs) as a key to addressing [[oil dependence]] and [[global warming]] both nationally and internationally.<ref name="Apollo">{{Cite book | author1 = Inslee, Jay | author2 = Bracken Hendricks | title = Apollo's Fire | year = 2007 | pages = 36–40 | publisher = [[Island Press]], Washington, D.C. | isbn = 978-1-59726-175-3 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/apollosfireignit00insl }}''See Chapter 2. Reinventing the car.''</ref><ref name="Boschert">{{Cite book|last=Sherry Boschert|year=2006|title=Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that will Recharge America|publisher=New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island, Canada|pages=[https://archive.org/details/pluginhybridscar00bosc/page/49 49–66]|isbn=978-0-86571-571-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/pluginhybridscar00bosc/page/49}} ''See Chapter 3. Felix Flirts with Hydrogen. <nowiki>http://www.sherryboschert.com/?page_id=607</nowiki>''</ref> It was active until 2010, when the first mass-produced PHEVs arrived. CalCars envisioned millions of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, charged by off-peak electricity from [[renewable energy]] sources, and with their [[internal combustion engine]]s powered by low-carbon [[alternative fuel]]s, as a way to significantly reduce [[greenhouse gases]] that come from transportation.
== History == [[File:Felix-car-batteries-full.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Lithium-ion battery]] pack, with cover removed, in CalCars' [[plug-in hybrid]] converted [[Toyota Prius]], which was the first [[Plug-in hybrid|PHEV]] based on the Prius and called PRIUS+.]]
With co-sponsorship from [[Hypercar (concept car)|Hypercar]], [[Felix Kramer]] organized what became the founding meeting of the California Car Company Initiative on July 29, 2002 in [[Palo Alto, CA]], which evolved into the non-profit [[California Cars Initiative]], and shifted its focus from hydrogen [[fuel cells]] to the nearer-term [[plug-in hybrid]]. The focus was on a solution using existing technology and 120-volt household power, rather than a new infrastructure. CalCars announced its dual approach of technical demonstration of feasibility and advocacy to reach "influencers" and decision-makers. Having recruited engineer Ron Gremban as Technology Lead and begun an open source Prius Plus conversion program,<ref>See [http://www.priusplus.org/ PriusPlus.org] {{webarchive|url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160529234618/http://www.priusplus.org/ |date=2016-05-29 }}</ref> CalCars completed the first Prius conversion in 2004. In 2006, with a conversion by one of the independent conversion companies, Kramer became the "world's first non-technical consumer owner" of a PHEV.<ref>[http://www.calcars.org/where-phevs-are.html Where PHEVs Are]"</ref> He flew that vehicle to Washington, DC in May 2006 for the first public viewing of a PHEV on Capitol Hill.<ref>See CalCars' "[http://www.calcars.org/phevs-in-dc.html PHEVs in DC]."</ref>
CalCars worked with allied organizations to build buyer demand for PHEVs in the United States and promote commercial production of plug-in hybrid vehicles by major automakers. It engaged in public education through its web site [http://www.calcars.org calcars.org]. It displayed its +{{convert|100|mpgus}} PHEVs at public and private events, showed promotional videos, and makes presentations to different audiences, including political leaders and opinion-makers. CalCars also promoted technology development for PHEVs by building example plug-in hybrid vehicles, and maintaining [[open hardware|open-source]] documentation of technological information about its prototypes. In its technology development, CalCars was closely linked with the work of Professor [[Andrew A. Frank|Andrew A. (Andy) Frank]] and the Team Fate design group at the [[University of California, Davis]].<ref>Dr. [[Andrew A. Frank]], Director, http://www.team-fate.net {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112070027/http://www.team-fate.net/ |date=2006-01-12 }} advanced hybrid vehicle research center (which has built 9 plug-in hybrid proof-of-concept vehicles), Professor, University of California at Davis; see a 2003 interview in EVWorld, [http://www.evworld.com/databases/storybuilder.cfm?storyid=504 part 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031024071922/http://www.evworld.com/databases/storybuilder.cfm?storyid=504 |date=2003-10-24 }} and [http://www.evworld.com/databases/storybuilder.cfm?storyid=505 part 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031027093238/http://www.evworld.com/databases/storybuilder.cfm?storyid=505 |date=2003-10-27 }} and a 2006 [http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/260.html Wall Street Journal profile].</ref>
After the first handful of Prius+ conversions, the PHEVs were displayed at multiple locations and events around the country, including the US Congress.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://calcars.org/phevs-in-dc.html|title=PHEVs & CalCars on Capitol Hill May, 2006|website=calcars.org|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> Interest in the PHEV concept swelled, and building conversion kits for DIYers or commercial conversions took off as many small and large companies entered the space. Calcars worked closely with journalists and the media to further stoke interest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://calcars.org/kudos.html|title=CalCars in the News 2004-2005|website=calcars.org|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> Dozens of books on the topic were released and reviewed by Calcars. CalCars tracked and commented on continuing developments through its listserv from 2005 to 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CalCars-News Archive|url=http://www.calcars.org/news-archive.html|access-date=2020-08-17|website=www.calcars.org}}</ref>
The CC automakers page covered the numerous developments announced by automakers, and CalCars' analysis of them. It further promoted PHEVs with leaders everywhere by featuring photos of them with their vehicles on its "Influencers",<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://calcars.org/photos-people.html|title=Influencers & celebrities|website=calcars.org|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> and "leaders".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://calcars.org/photos-leaders.htmlpages|title=CalCars.org|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> CalCars worked to connect PHEV owners to automakers, and welcomed GM's announcement of the Volt. An attempt was made to get companies to offer aftermarket conversions for most existing vehicles on the road, but little success was had in getting aftermarket converters to form a trade group to secure government incentives for conversions.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=http://calcars.org/ice-conversions.html|title=Join the Campaign to Electrify World's 900+ Million Vehicles|website=calcars.org|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> So after several years the conversion market shrank, and currently has one provider, Plug-in Supply.
In November 2009, Calcars declared a preliminary victory, with mass-produced PHEVs and fully electric vehicles set to arrive shortly.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Drivers and advocates were migrated to the [[Electric Auto Association]] (EEA), [[Plug In America]] (PIA), or the [[Sierra Club]] for further promotion of CalCars goal of rapidly electrifying all vehicles. [[File:CalCars Plug ins August 2007.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Several [[plug-in hybrid]] converted [[Toyota Prius]] at [[Professorville]], [[Palo Alto]].]]
CalCars built the first PRIUS+ conversion, creating the first [[Plug-in hybrid|PHEV]] based on the 2004 [[Toyota Prius]].<ref name="Apollo"/><ref name="Boschert"/><ref>The PRIUS+ was CalCars first PHEV Prius, its homepage can be found at http://www.calcars.org/priusplus.html, [http://www.calcars.org/photos.html Photos], [http://www.calcars.org/calcars-photos.pdf Commercializing Plug-In Hybrids presentation (2MB PDF)]</ref> This initial conversion was done with a lead-acid battery pack to prove the concept would work. The build team included Ron Gremban, [[Felix Kramer]], Marc Geller, Kevin Lyons, Andrew Lawton. Others who helped included Tom Driscoll, Michael Geller, Richard Jesch, Les Montavon, Dan Putman, Michael Schwabe, Len Tramiel, Bob Westman, Doug Widney.
== Conversions == Prius+ (also written Prius Plus) became the [[open-source software|open-source]] standard on which most plug-in hybrid kits were based.<ref name="calcars.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.calcars.org/priusplus.html |title=CalCars' PRIUS+ Plug-In Hybrid |publisher=Calcars.org |date= |accessdate=2010-11-27}}</ref> Plug-in hybrid kit manufacturers included: A123 Hymotion, Amberjac Systems, based on EDrive Systems emerged from the original EnergyCS, EETrex, [http://www.enginer.us/ Enginer], Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technologies, Plug-In Conversions Corp, Plug-In Supply (still operating), MD-Tech
Beginning in 2008, CalCars started to address the problem that the rate of market penetration (as a percentage of new vehicles into the national and international fleet) would be remarkably slow, even with optimistic assumptions. To accelerate the electrification of transportation and all of its consequent benefits, CalCars started an unsuccessful initiative: spurring the growth of a new industry that converts existing internal combustion engine vehicles into plug-ins.<ref>{{cite web|title=Join the Campaign to Electrify World's 900+ Million Vehicles|url=https://calcars.org/ice-conversions.html|website=CalCars|accessdate=23 January 2017}}</ref>
== Combustion vehicle mass conversions == CalCars stated that compared to crushing old vehicles, converting millions of [[Gas-guzzler|gas-guzzling]], [[Internal combustion engine|internal combustion engine vehicle]]s ([[pickup trucks]], [[SUV]]s, and [[Dry van|full-size vans]] -[[Pickup truck|PSV]]s-) would be a winning energy-saving strategy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/1007.html |title=Should We Crush Gas-Guzzlers? Or Convert Them to Plug In? An Analysis |publisher=Calcars.org |date=2008-04-21 |accessdate=2010-11-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/1040.html |title=Plug-In Endorsements: Inauguration + Senate '09 Freedom Act |publisher=Calcars.org |date=2009-01-16 |accessdate=2010-11-27}}</ref>
== Key CalCars personnel == [[File:Maker Faire 2008 San Mateo 157.JPG|right|thumb|[[Toyota Prius]] [[plug-in hybrid]] converted by CalCars exhibited at the Maker Fair 2008, [[San Mateo, California]].]] [[File:Chevy Volt in Lake Tahoe NV trimmed.jpg|thumb|Calcars has supported the new wave of [[mass production]] [[plug-in electric vehicle]]s, including the [[Chevrolet Volt]] (shown), the [[Nissan Leaf]], and other PEVs.]]
[[Felix Kramer]], founder, is a marketing strategist and communicator with an entrepreneurial track record with [[Startup company|startup]]s; in the environmental realm, he managed major events and run campaigns and organizations. After founding, running and selling a small Internet company, he volunteered his time to CalCars from 2001 to 2009.<ref>See [http://www.nlightning.com Kramer Communications] and [http://www.nlightning.com/resume.html Felix Kramer Bio], his February 14, 2005 OpEd on global warming, ''[http://www.calcars.org/beyond-kyoto.html Kyoto and Beyond]'', and [http://www.hybridcars.com/blogs/power Power, Plugs and People], his new blog>.</ref> Since 2009 he has written articles and worked on projects involving climate change and clean energy, based at his website, BeyondCassandra.org
Ron Gremban, Technology Development Lead for PRIUS+, moderator of the PRIUS+ <ref name="calcars.org" /> Plug-In Hybrid Conversion Group,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://groups.yahoo.com/group/priusplus/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712074451/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/priusplus/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |title=PRIUS+ Plug-In Hybrid Conversion Group |publisher=Groups.yahoo.com |date= |accessdate=2010-11-27}}</ref> and electrical and [[software engineer]] involved in sales of [[solar energy]] systems, has long experience with [[Battery electric vehicle|electric cars]]—he helped design and drive the Caltech entry in the transcontinental 1968 Great Electric Car Race.<ref>See Ron Grembans out of date [http://www.ForSites.com/expertise.html bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193100/http://www.forsites.com/expertise.html |date=2016-03-03 }}.</ref> He has been the lead EE since 2012 at Brillouin Energy in Berkeley, seeking a commercially useful form of LENR (Low Energy Nuclear Reactions).
Gail Slocum, Senior Advisor, former Mayor, [[Menlo Park, California|Menlo Park]] and Regulatory Attorney at [[Pacific Gas and Electric Company]].
== See also ==
* [[Plug-in electric vehicles in California]]
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == * [http://www.calcars.org Calcars, the California Cars Initiative]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Calcars}} [[Category:Climate change organizations based in the United States]] [[Category:Hybrid electric vehicle advocates]] [[Category:Environmental organizations based in California]] [[Category:Non-profit organizations based in California]] [[Category:Organizations based in Palo Alto, California]] [[Category:Electric vehicle conversion]] [[Category:Plug-in hybrid vehicles]] [[Category:Electric vehicles in California]]