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Another way to reduce your Transportation GHGs

4/8/2021

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Here's another idea for close to zero emission transportation; HYDROGEN. There is a bit of controversy over this solution, as, today, hydrogen is produced using some amount of natural gas. I will address that point in a later post. Today, I simply want to alert people to an opportunity that is considered to be net zero emission by the state, and that might be relatively affordable. 

Today, I will simply talk about the affordability issue. 

There may have been others, but for sure, Toyota made a hydrogen car in 2017. Many of these were leased, and have now been returned. Toyota is now selling Certified used Mirai cars. I went to San Francisco and looked at them, and they are priced in the $10-12k range, which is not bad. But, even better, (a) they give you $15,000 card for prepaid hydrogen fuel, and (b) you can get an HOV sticker for them. So, they are basically paying you to take the cars. Also, they are offering 0% interest, so you can pay for it over time, at no interest. Its a pretty sweet deal - IF you can tolerate the hydrogen difficulties. 

(I will mention the big one, since I want to be as responsible and transparent as possible - there is only ONE hydrogen fueling station in all of Marin; the Valero in Mill Valley; but, there are 49-ish around the state, and the state is investing a ton of money to get the number up to at least 200 by 2025. More on hydrogen next time). 

There are also, for those who can afford them, new hydrogen cars, now. Toyota has a new one, as does Honda. Hyuandai has an SUV. I think you can only lease the Honda and Hyuandai, You can either buy the Toyota or lease it. When you buy or lease a new hydrogen car, you get (a) $8,000 Federal Tax Credit; (b) $4,500 California rebate; and (c) HOV sticker. If you get it from Toyota, you also get the $15,000 prepaid fuel, and three years of free service. Sometimes the dealers offer incentives on top of that. 

Full disclosure - I just bought one of these things, and I hoping that others will too, so we can convince somebody to put a hydrogen station in Fairfax. That will be great; Novato gets Costco, we can get hydrogen (and EV charging). 

One last thing about this. The original Mirai was planned to have a feature that allowed you to run your fuel cell car and plug it into your house to power it. They ultimately did not do that, but it can be done. Believe me, as the owner of one of these things now, I have a vested interest in figuring it out!

Whatever you do, Walk, Bike, ride the bus (after vaccination), telecommute instead of going to the office, and, when you are able to buy your next car; make it EV or Hydrogen; they are cheaper than gas cars and they will make you feel better!
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Fun things to do - and SAVE the planet

4/7/2021

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  • 4/7, 7:30pm - Health Issues Related to Climate Change, Making the Switch to Electric, and more, hosted by the 350 Palo Alto team’s “Switch to Electric” Community Engagement Campaign. Zoom Meeting, Meeting ID: 899 4008 6223, Passcode: 643410

  • 4/8, 10am - Electric kitchens have arrived! Join Rachelle Boucher of Kitchens To Life, hosted by the CA Building Decarbonization Coalition. Register here: https://bit.ly/31iFelc
 
  • 4/19 – Air District Stationary Source & Climate Protection Committee, where the appliance standards will get discussed with detailed cost analysis - a make or break moment for the rules to move forward or die over cost & equity concerns.
 
  • 4/28 - Electrification of Buildings: Climate, Health, Justice. Panel sponsored by SF Bay Area Physicians for Social Responsibilty, https://sfbaypsr.org/take-action/events/…
 
  • VERGE Electrify, May 25-26, Register here
 
  • Green Home Tour (East Bay), June 6 & 13 — Register here 
 
News: 
  • Going all-electric may seem daunting. Here's how to start the process. (Green Building News)
  • How your gas stove sparked a battle over climate change
 
Resources:
  1. Cost memo on Electrification for Existing Homes, drafted in support of the appliance standards to phase out gas heaters and water heaters under consideration at the Air District.
​AND, most of all, 

Review the Fairfax CAP and JOIN US!
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Renewable Vehicles

4/6/2021

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Last time, I wrote about ways to afford new, renewable fuel vehicles. 

Here is an opportunity to virtually kick the tires of some of these, and learn more about what's possible. 

Join the DriveClean Earth Day Drive-Clean-a-thon. Its April 24, and it will help you learn more. 

Make your next car zero emissions. We can do this. 
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