Paul Pearson's legal fight with the City of Santa Monica (and, originally, the California DMV) has taken an unexpected turn. While the City has been going after Pearson for his work converting gas cars to electric drive. Pearson, president of the Santa Monica-based Gas To Electric (G2E), was the target of a sting operation and was cited for for allegedly remanufacturing cars without a state license and for not getting a business license from the City. The main legal trouble, though, was over discussions about converting a gas-only Ford Thunderbird to electric power. The case was eventually dropped.
Any bad feelings stemming from the legal battle seems to be washed away, too, now that the City has taken delivery of its first all-electric Ford Ranger, converted by Pearson. Pearson said in a statement that:
[Source: Electric Custom Cars]
PRESS RELEASE:
Vehicle Conversion To Serve As Prototype For Additional U.S. Municipalities
(December 23, 2009 – Santa Monica, CA) - Paul Pearson, electric car conversion expert and President of the Santa Monica, CA-based Gas To Electric, Inc. (G2E), has announced the delivery of the first, light duty, all-electric Ford Ranger to the City of Santa Monica for use in the city's public works fleet. This inclusion by a city nationally recognized as a leader in the area of sustainability will serve to highlight the benefits of gas to electric conversions to other municipalities intent on lowering operational costs and reducing their carbon footprint.
The incorporation of the gas to electric vehicle into the city's public works fleet is made even more notable given the fact that Pearson was involved in a high-profile case brought against him last December by the DMV and City of Santa Monica for allegedly manufacturing electric cars without a license. After being fully exonerated of the charges, with the case being dropped by City Attorney Marsha Moutrie, Pearson sees this as an exceptional example of how the public and private sector can work together effectively.
"To set aside any initial differences for the betterment of Santa Monica shows how committed city officials are to putting actions over words when it comes to sustainability," said Pearson from his G2E headquarters. With three of every four cars in the city fleet running on alternative energy this is the cities first gas to electric addition and Pearson hopes it serves to inspire municipalities around the nation. "Santa Monica has shown not just the environmental benefits of green technology but the economic benefits as well," he said adding, "I'm confident that more cities will begin to emulate the model they've created. It's a 'win-win' for everyone."
The converted Ford Ranger uses a standard AC wall outlet to charge and utilizes a low voltage system designed for the safety of fleet maintenance personnel and emergency responders. The vehicle retains all the original manufacturers' safety equipment, such as ABS brakes, seatbelt sensors and fully functional airbags and the 35 mile range allows for a top speed of 55 mph. Pearson estimates the operational costs to be 2 - 3 cents per mile and as the motor has only 3 moving parts, compared to the hundreds in a fossil fuel burning engine, lifetime costs will be dramatically lower. Conversion is done with all American made parts and is funded in part with grants and numerous Local, State and Federal tax incentives.
Pearson, who is now working with the South Coast Air Quality Management District with their program to assist local municipalities increase their reliance upon electric vehicles, established G2E to help cities decrease their operational costs and carbon footprint by offering an effective solution to fossil fuel burning engines. The company has applied a traditional factory production model for the conversion process which reduces the entry level cost for a municipality to begin the 'greening' of their fleet. While the conversions currently only provide for limited freeway access they are exceptionally well-suited for city Maintenance and Landscape Departments, Facilities and Parks and Recreation Departments.
Any bad feelings stemming from the legal battle seems to be washed away, too, now that the City has taken delivery of its first all-electric Ford Ranger, converted by Pearson. Pearson said in a statement that:
The Ranger EV is well-suited for in-city utility work. It has a top speed of 55 mph and can go around 35 miles per charge. Pearson is ready to help other cities get EVs into their fleets, and is working with the South Coast Air Quality Management District to assist local municipalities to do just that. More details after the jump.To set aside any initial differences for the betterment of Santa Monica shows how committed city officials are to putting actions over words when it comes to sustainability. ... I'm confident that more cities will begin to emulate the model they've created. It's a 'win-win' for everyone.
[Source: Electric Custom Cars]
PRESS RELEASE:
Vehicle Conversion To Serve As Prototype For Additional U.S. Municipalities
(December 23, 2009 – Santa Monica, CA) - Paul Pearson, electric car conversion expert and President of the Santa Monica, CA-based Gas To Electric, Inc. (G2E), has announced the delivery of the first, light duty, all-electric Ford Ranger to the City of Santa Monica for use in the city's public works fleet. This inclusion by a city nationally recognized as a leader in the area of sustainability will serve to highlight the benefits of gas to electric conversions to other municipalities intent on lowering operational costs and reducing their carbon footprint.
The incorporation of the gas to electric vehicle into the city's public works fleet is made even more notable given the fact that Pearson was involved in a high-profile case brought against him last December by the DMV and City of Santa Monica for allegedly manufacturing electric cars without a license. After being fully exonerated of the charges, with the case being dropped by City Attorney Marsha Moutrie, Pearson sees this as an exceptional example of how the public and private sector can work together effectively.
"To set aside any initial differences for the betterment of Santa Monica shows how committed city officials are to putting actions over words when it comes to sustainability," said Pearson from his G2E headquarters. With three of every four cars in the city fleet running on alternative energy this is the cities first gas to electric addition and Pearson hopes it serves to inspire municipalities around the nation. "Santa Monica has shown not just the environmental benefits of green technology but the economic benefits as well," he said adding, "I'm confident that more cities will begin to emulate the model they've created. It's a 'win-win' for everyone."
The converted Ford Ranger uses a standard AC wall outlet to charge and utilizes a low voltage system designed for the safety of fleet maintenance personnel and emergency responders. The vehicle retains all the original manufacturers' safety equipment, such as ABS brakes, seatbelt sensors and fully functional airbags and the 35 mile range allows for a top speed of 55 mph. Pearson estimates the operational costs to be 2 - 3 cents per mile and as the motor has only 3 moving parts, compared to the hundreds in a fossil fuel burning engine, lifetime costs will be dramatically lower. Conversion is done with all American made parts and is funded in part with grants and numerous Local, State and Federal tax incentives.
Pearson, who is now working with the South Coast Air Quality Management District with their program to assist local municipalities increase their reliance upon electric vehicles, established G2E to help cities decrease their operational costs and carbon footprint by offering an effective solution to fossil fuel burning engines. The company has applied a traditional factory production model for the conversion process which reduces the entry level cost for a municipality to begin the 'greening' of their fleet. While the conversions currently only provide for limited freeway access they are exceptionally well-suited for city Maintenance and Landscape Departments, Facilities and Parks and Recreation Departments.
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