Brooklyn's Progress
August 2003

By Enrico Cullen, Director, Development & Public Affairs
Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment

If you’ve seen a golf-cart on the streets of Brooklyn lately, chances are it’s not Annika Sorenstam, but a local non-profit employee happily driving one of over 2,000 electric cars donated by Daimler-Chrysler. 

According to Sam Locricchio, a manager of Communications, Advance Technology, Quality and Design for Daimler-Chrysler, the gesture is magnanimous.  “The donation strategy, in New York and elsewhere,” said Locricchio, “allows organizations to use cost-effective, efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles while allowing for exposure of the vehicle to the public.”

Locricchio is not the only person who thinks so.  Kateri Callahan, president of Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) shares the optimism.  “Daimler-Chrysler recognizes New York’s leadership in sustainable energy solutions," Callahan told me, "and is satisfying the state’s interest by making a large donation of electric vehicles.” 

State Senator Velmanette Montgomery was instrumental in bringing Daimler-Chrysler’s Global Electric Motorcars (GEMs) to Brooklyn environmental groups.  “New York City is plagued with Asthma-causing and cancer-causing air pollution,” said Montgomery, “and about two thirds of the pollutants come from automobiles. We can take significant steps to create a healthier environment by replacing gasoline powered cars with electric vehicles.”

Electric vehicle (EV) donation appears at the intersection of a large number of diverse interests.  From new market expansion, to environmental clean-up, the common good and public health, as well as federal emissions compliance and strategic future legislation aversion, EVs are moving into the fast lane.

“Every major car manufacturer is responsible for putting out a new zero or low emissions car each year,” said Mike McCormack, leasing manager of Armory Garage, a division of Daimler-Chrysler.  McCormack is responsible for registering all cars with New York State before September 1st.

“Armory Garage is donating time and labor to help Daimler-Chrysler” with the donation, suggesting the importance of the gesture for car manufacturers.  All vehicles must be registered with the state if the manufacturer is to get the emissions credits it seeks. 
 
The sticker price of a GEM succinctly reveals this dynamic.  Some consumers are surprised to learn that registering a new electric car will take $6,600 off the $10,000 sticker price due to federal energy conservation rebates and tax credits. 

The idea has West Coast written all over it.  But according to Callahan, “New York State is every bit as visionary as California and has been a leader for 12 years, under Governors Cuomo and Pataki.  There has been a strong push by the state to deploy low and zero emissions vehicles.”

Locricchio hopes that people can make the leap from “What IS that?” to “Where can I get THAT?”  For now, if you see one of those little buggies, think of your neighborhood non-profits, making their way, the only way they know how.