I was once involved with a group called the Gas Guzzler Campaign.
Geocaching in the sense of hunting down gas guzzlers.
They made the news here in Washington years ago, before SUVs were all the
rage. They made up tickets that looked like parking violations but what
they were were flyers left on the owners windshield telling them their
vehicle qualified as an official gas guzzler because it only got like 12
MPG. Then had some tips on how the owner could help save the environment by
considering car pooling, walking, biking and taking public transportation.
The news media picked up on it and got some publicity. After that, the
campaign hooked up with us, EVA/DC, and added EVs as a viable source and
alternative to gas guzzlers.
We kind of lost touch with them and the campaign members took on other
lobbying efforts.
But who knows maybe a similar campaign on SUVs might work or gain some
publicity today.
We could also try the "if we can't beat them join them" approach and put 2"
or 3" lift kits on our EVs and say "Hey, look at our SUEVs. We're just as
tall and probably heavy as you but we don't keep some Sheik fat and happy
in the Mid East"
>From: Rod Hower <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>For those who have not heard of geocaching,it is a treasure
>hunt for misc. items hidden in a water proof container.
>You can find more info at www.geocaching.com
>These are hidden in 144 countries throughout the world.
>I took the kids on a hunt today in the TEVan, 40 miles
>round trip. On the way I found out the GPS was low on
>batteries so I stopped at a sprall mall to pick some up.
>I noticed a guy that pulled in the parking spot behind me
>and on the way into the store he was checking out the van.
>He followed me into the store and wanted more information
>on the EV. His first question was 'does it run on fuel cells'.
>This is interesting since the last 3 guys that asked about
>my EV wanted to know if it was fuel cell powered.
>This is the power of advertising. Why would the last 4 out
>of 5 inquires about my battery powered EV ask if it was
>fuel cell powered? Just think how many people would ask
>about various EV's if there was positive press about their
>capabilities. Advertising is everything as the big three
>know in promoting the high profit margin gas sucking SUV's.
>I think it is time for some bad press for these terrorist
>supporting gas hogs. How many SUV's would be sporting
>the American flag if they knew their money is supporting
>the so called terrorists? It's just like smoking, if there
>was enough bad press they would be embaressed to flaunt there
>vehcicles of 'prestige'.
>People will continue to buy these vehicles as long as they think
>it is a 'status' symbol. We need to create negative press for
>the gas hogs. Even if it is not pushing EV's, people need to
>realize the consequences of their decision to buy a 12 MPH
>vehicle. Once this connection is made and sales start to
>fall off, the big three will start pushing higher MPH vehicles.
>Unfortunately this connection probably wont be made until people
>can't afford their 0% lease agreements because gas cost $3 gallon.
>Economics will eventually convince people, not my conviction
>of energy conservation.
>Oh well, the Geocache hike in the woods was fun.
>Rod
>
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Chip Gribben Today for a
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Cars Brighter
Electric Tomorrow
5809 Holger Court ________
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Visit the Electric Vehicle Association of Washington DC Website at
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