Letter to GM, Feb 16, 2005

G. Richard Wagoner Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
General Motors Corporation
300 Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI 48265

Dear Mr. Wagoner:

As you no doubt know, today marks the first day of implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, the world’s first step in reducing the human impact of global warming. Although we would like to see General Motors as a leader in global efforts to reduce the output of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, in this area GM has in fact consistently lagged behind many others in its industry. We represent a broad coalition of environmental organizations and concerned citizens who are asking GM to stop crushing the revolutionary EV1 electric cars, to dramatically increase fuel economy standards, and to restart efforts to offer its customers sustainable personal transportation now.

Nine years ago GM introduced the world’s first modern electric production car, the EV1. GM noted in its own sales literature that the EV1 would be “10 times cleaner environmentally than even the most advanced gasoline-powered vehicle” and that “unlike conventional vehicles… electric vehicles maintain their negligible emission rates over time.” Despite these glowing remarks,’ your company’s lobbying and litigation against California’s commitment to zero emissions vehicles eventually undermined not only the EV1 program, but also GM’s corporate environmental credibility. The current sad state of affairs is that GM has ended its zero emission vehicle programs, removed virtually all of the EV1s from California roadways, and has embarked on a program to dismantle and crush these perfectly serviceable zero emissions vehicles, despite the loyal and enthusiastic support of many of those who held EV1 leases.

The citizens of California and the United States deserve better. The EV1 program benefited greatly from taxpayer funded development programs. In fact, EV1s leased in California received State and Federal Subsidies in the form of tax credits and incentives of up to $13,000 per vehicle. It was certainly not the intention of California taxpayers that these cars be crushed after only 3 years of service, most with a small fraction of their expected lifetime mileage.

There are many former EV1 lessees and others who would purchase or lease these vehicles from GM, if they were available. It’s time for your company to give Americans the choice to drive pollution free.

We are asking GM to:

1. Stop dismantling and crushing the EV1s and offer the remaining cars for sale or on open-end lease.
2. Restart your electric vehicle engineering efforts with a goal of offering fully electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles with at least 20 mile all-electric range, by 2008.
3. Increase GM overall average fleet fuel economy to 50 mpg by 2010 and build an entire fleet of zero emissions vehicles by 2020.

We intend to make this letter public and launch a public awareness campaign on this matter immediately, and look forward to discussing these issues with you in the near future.

Thank you,

Michael Brune
Executive Director
Rainforest Action Network

Medea Benjamin
Executive Director
Global Exchange

Stephanie Barger
Executive Director
Earth Resource Foundation

cc:

Beth Lowery
Vice President., Environment and Energy

Robert A. Lutz
Chairman, General Motors North American Operations

Bob Purcell
Executive Director, General Motors Advanced Technology Vehicles

Kenneth C. Stewart
Marketing Director, New Ventures, General Motors Advanced Technology Vehicles

Jill Banaszynski
General Motors Advanced Technology Vehicles