Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON
erral to commercial conversion businesses or services here in Florida, at the present time I am referring people to two converters: 1) Steve Clunn of Grassroots EV in Ft. Pierce tel: 772-971-0533 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.grassrootsev.com and 2) Lowell Simmons of Miramar High School in Miramar tel: 754-323-1422 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.miramarev.com Like Steve Clunn, Lowell Simmons has been doing conversions here in Florida for over 10 years and is excellent at it and very professional. The last I heard from Lowell, he is available to take on a conversion project right now, and I recommend him. I also recommend my good friend Steve Clunn, but in all honesty, I also like to point out that while Steve's work is also very good and solid, he does not always put the highest priority on the aesthetics and cosmetic appearance aspects, unless the customer really insists on it and gives Steve a lot of extra time on those things, but rather Steve tends to concentrate more on just the functionality aspects of the conversion. I also made this point in the Palm Beach Post article on Steve's conversion business. So I think the general point here is one of just trying to be as open, honest, and transparent as possible; to make full disclosures about one's business interests and even one's contributions to others' businesses, even where there is no agreement or expectation of any financial return or ownership interest; to try to maintain some professional ethics, use common sense, and not use the non-profit FLEAA to crassly and blatantly promote one's own EV business interests or those of any one particular EV business over another. Let me make one last point here, again by way of example, coming full circle back to my non-profit services that I provide to FLEAA members with regard to parts & service support for RAV4-EVs and their offboard inductive chargers. There would be absolutely nothing wrong or inappropriate with me setting up my own for-profit commercial business to do that and then even informing everyone over the FLEAA list that I have done so and that my RAV4-EV commercial services are available. I could very well do that. But I have made a conscious, deliberate, *PERSONAL* decision not to do so and to offer these services free of charge on a non-profit basis as a FLEAA member. (Please note my emphasis on the word "PERSONAL" -- this was simply a *personal* decision and not one dictated by FLEAA rules or ethics.) Having done that, and not having set up a for-profit company to do so, I am therefore identifying these non-profit, non-commercial RAV4-EV support services primarily through my membership and association with the FLEAA. The important point here is again, as I said above, just to remember and keep straight which role and which hat one is wearing at any given time and not to mix the two. If I want to identify a service as one that I am providing as a "FLEAA member" to fellow FLEAA members, and therefore am primarily identifying such service in association with the FLEAA, then in keeping with the FLEAA's non-profit status, I'd better be darn sure that I adhere to the letter and spirit of that non-profit status and be squeaky clean about it. I hope this helps to clarify the situation and the important point that you have raised, Greg. And I'm glad that you did raise it, because I think this is an issue that needs to be addressed and emphasized from time to time, just to make sure that we all understand the role of the FLEAA and the rules, limits, and bounds of its non-profit status. By the way, all of this is just my own understanding and interpretation of these rules, limits, and bounds. I don't claim to be the ultimate authority or have the final word in speaking for the FLEAA on this subject. That would ultimately be our President, Shawn Waggoner, who would speak for the FLEAA on this. If anyone else has anything to add or any different interpretations, I would welcome it as a valuable addition to this important subject. Thanks again, Greg, for weighing in with your contribution to this discussion. Best regards, Charles Whalen Florida EAA Delray Beach, FL [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Original Message - From: Greg Sims To: Charles Whalen ; FLEAA Mailing List Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 7:22 AM Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON Hi In response to Charles' email, I wanted to present a counter idea to how the charter for FLEAA works. I'm not suggesting a change but just a different point of view. I appreciate the integrity of the members for not taking a markup or charge for their time in working with other members. If those are the rule of the group I think they should be followed. My thought is the I would really like to get some help to convert a vehicle to electric but my time is limited. I know how difficult it is to get help on someo
Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON
Hi In response to Charles' email, I wanted to present a counter idea to how the charter for FLEAA works. I'm not suggesting a change but just a different point of view. I appreciate the integrity of the members for not taking a markup or charge for their time in working with other members. If those are the rule of the group I think they should be followed. My thought is the I would really like to get some help to convert a vehicle to electric but my time is limited. I know how difficult it is to get help on someones free time, for instance I'm working with a charity for girls in Kenya on a web site, free of charge because I'm good friend with one of the founders and my connections with Kenya. And I wouldn't feel comfortable asking for someones time, unless I could provide some momentary or other way to help them. If there are individuals who provide these these types of services, converting to electric, I think it would be important to help them build their business. Unfortunately, most of the ways to help a business is to do it financially, we do live in a world that money makes things go around. It seems to me,that to get the best help from the experts and make it a win win situations for myself and the expert would be to cancel my membership and see if I could hire these experts in planning and implementing a conversion. I would feel more comfortable knowing I was not being a burden on someones time (I have done the helping people with computer stuff most of my life). I think it's important to help them to grow there business or start one if they like doing this. If they want to take the money and donate to the club or keep it to build there business or something else, it wouldn't matter to me. It would allow me to sleep at night know I did the right thing. If I did cancel my membership, wouldn't mean I would stop donating money for dues or for things like battery beach burnout or not going to meetings. I would just be able to get started and know I would be able to get assistance, if my time became an issue. For me right now time is my biggest constraint. I hope you don't mind hearing a different view point. Greg Charles Whalen wrote: Hi Joseph and all, There is nothing new about this. I have posted to the FLEAA on this subject previously about these services and parts supplies & inventory. One important thing I have mentioned in my previous posts on this subject but did not mention in yesterday's post, which is worth pointing out, is that I offer these parts and services as a FLEAA member, and in keeping with the FLEAA's non-profit status, I do so without making any profit, without charging any markup on the parts supplies and inventory, and without charging anything for my time, services, and labor -- absolutely nothing! (This is no different than, for instance, the National EAA, which offers, through its Chairman Ron Freund's services, Avcon to 14-50 adaptor boxes, to EAA members at the cost of materials, with no markup added and no compensation to Ron for his time and labor in making up these boxes.) I spent a good deal of my time servicing and troubleshooting a problem with one South Florida-based RAV4-EV for a FLEAA member a few weeks ago, all on my own time and without charge. It turned out that the problem was not with the car but with the charger. The only immediate fix to get the car back on the road again for its driver was for me to sell the owner a new inductive charger from my inventory. The owner wanted to pay me more than I had paid for the charger so that I could make something on it. I politely declined his kind offer and insisted that I would only sell the charger at my cost that I had paid for it, pointing out that I do this as a non-profit service for FLEAA members, and that it is not my intention to make money off of EVers. Another point I would like to make is that in facilitating Prius plug-in hybrid conversions with the government-certified A123/Hymotion kit, I personally, the FLEAA as an organization, do not have any business or financial relationship, investment, or interest in the companies involved in that business. I/we simply provide information and referral services to people in Florida who are interested in converting their Priuses to plug-in hybrid. The A123/Hymotion kit is the only DOT/EPA/NHTSA certified kit that is eligible for federal government rebates of up to $4,000, principally in the form of federal tax credits, for individuals who convert their Priuses to plug-in hybrids, under legislation that is currently pending in Congress. My understanding is that the legislation, as it has been drafted, only provides federal tax credits to plug-in hybrid conversion kits that have been certified by the DOT, EPA, and NHTSA, and must be installed by certified installers. Charles Whalen Florida EAA Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:25:11 -0400 From: "Jo
Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON
To my knowledge, no, not in Florida and not at the federal level, nor are any proposed. At the present time, just for the Prius, and only *proposed* under currently pending legislation in Congress. But would also apply to Ford Escape plug-in hybrid aftermarket conversion kits, if any such kits are put through the same government certification process that A123/Hymotion has done with their Prius kit. ... Which may well be in the works, in the case of the Escape. At least that's my understanding. Charles Whalen - Original Message - From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "FLEAA Mailing List" ; "Charles Whalen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 4:17 PM Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON Are there a,y funds or rebates for conversion to full electric for other vehicles or is it just for prius? Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile -Original Message- From: "Fran Sullivan-Fahs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:38:19 To:"Charles Whalen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,"FLEAA Mailing List" Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON Wow, Charles. I didn't know that there was that $4,000 rebate pending for conversion of Prii with the A 123. Will it be retroactive for those already converted, do you think? Fran - Original Message - From: "Charles Whalen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Florida EAA" Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 4:35 PM Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON > Hi Joseph and all, > > There is nothing new about this. I have posted to the FLEAA on this > subject > previously about these services and parts supplies & inventory. One > important thing I have mentioned in my previous posts on this subject but > did not mention in yesterday's post, which is worth pointing out, is that > I > offer these parts and services as a FLEAA member, and in keeping with the > FLEAA's non-profit status, I do so without making any profit, without > charging any markup on the parts supplies and inventory, and without > charging anything for my time, services, and labor -- absolutely nothing! > (This is no different than, for instance, the National EAA, which offers, > through its Chairman Ron Freund's services, Avcon to 14-50 adaptor boxes, > to > EAA members at the cost of materials, with no markup added and no > compensation to Ron for his time and labor in making up these boxes.) I > spent a good deal of my time servicing and troubleshooting a problem with > one South Florida-based RAV4-EV for a FLEAA member a few weeks ago, all on > my own time and without charge. It turned out that the problem was not > with > the car but with the charger. The only immediate fix to get the car back > on > the road again for its driver was for me to sell the owner a new inductive > charger from my inventory. The owner wanted to pay me more than I had > paid > for the charger so that I could make something on it. I politely declined > his kind offer and insisted that I would only sell the charger at my cost > that I had paid for it, pointing out that I do this as a non-profit > service > for FLEAA members, and that it is not my intention to make money off of > EVers. > > Another point I would like to make is that in facilitating Prius plug-in > hybrid conversions with the government-certified A123/Hymotion kit, I > personally, the FLEAA as an organization, do not have any business or > financial relationship, investment, or interest in the companies involved > in > that business. I/we simply provide information and referral services to > people in Florida who are interested in converting their Priuses to > plug-in > hybrid. The A123/Hymotion kit is the only DOT/EPA/NHTSA certified kit > that > is eligible for federal government rebates of up to $4,000, principally in > the form of federal tax credits, for individuals who convert their Priuses > to plug-in hybrids, under legislation that is currently pending in > Congress. > My understanding is that the legislation, as it has been drafted, only > provides federal tax credits to plug-in hybrid conversion kits that have > been certified by the DOT, EPA, and NHTSA, and must be installed by > certified installers. > > Charles Whalen > Florida EAA > > > Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:25:11 -0400 > From: "Joseph T. " <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON > TOYOTA] > To: "david starky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "FLEAA Mailing List" > > Message-ID: > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > >>
Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON
Fran, It's apparently "up to" $4,000; could be less, however, I'm not sure. Also, the legislation is pending; it may not get through the committee process and pass both chambers and be signed, etc., etc. I don't know if it will be retroactive; I suspect it might be, but only for the post-certification A123/Hymotion BREM Gen 2 kits, i.e. not for the A123/Hymotion BREM Gen 1 kits installed last year. But please understand that I do not closely follow this legislation and am not an expert on it. I will have to ask those questions to others who do and are closely involved with it and the drafting of it. I'll be traveling the next few days and will be back next week. Charles - Original Message - From: "Fran Sullivan-Fahs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Charles Whalen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "FLEAA Mailing List" Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:38 PM Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON Wow, Charles. I didn't know that there was that $4,000 rebate pending for conversion of Prii with the A 123. Will it be retroactive for those already converted, do you think? Fran - Original Message - From: "Charles Whalen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Florida EAA" Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 4:35 PM Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON > Hi Joseph and all, > > There is nothing new about this. I have posted to the FLEAA on this > subject > previously about these services and parts supplies & inventory. One > important thing I have mentioned in my previous posts on this subject but > did not mention in yesterday's post, which is worth pointing out, is that > I > offer these parts and services as a FLEAA member, and in keeping with the > FLEAA's non-profit status, I do so without making any profit, without > charging any markup on the parts supplies and inventory, and without > charging anything for my time, services, and labor -- absolutely nothing! > (This is no different than, for instance, the National EAA, which offers, > through its Chairman Ron Freund's services, Avcon to 14-50 adaptor boxes, > to > EAA members at the cost of materials, with no markup added and no > compensation to Ron for his time and labor in making up these boxes.) I > spent a good deal of my time servicing and troubleshooting a problem with > one South Florida-based RAV4-EV for a FLEAA member a few weeks ago, all on > my own time and without charge. It turned out that the problem was not > with > the car but with the charger. The only immediate fix to get the car back > on > the road again for its driver was for me to sell the owner a new inductive > charger from my inventory. The owner wanted to pay me more than I had > paid > for the charger so that I could make something on it. I politely declined > his kind offer and insisted that I would only sell the charger at my cost > that I had paid for it, pointing out that I do this as a non-profit > service > for FLEAA members, and that it is not my intention to make money off of > EVers. > > Another point I would like to make is that in facilitating Prius plug-in > hybrid conversions with the government-certified A123/Hymotion kit, I > personally, the FLEAA as an organization, do not have any business or > financial relationship, investment, or interest in the companies involved > in > that business. I/we simply provide information and referral services to > people in Florida who are interested in converting their Priuses to > plug-in > hybrid. The A123/Hymotion kit is the only DOT/EPA/NHTSA certified kit > that > is eligible for federal government rebates of up to $4,000, principally in > the form of federal tax credits, for individuals who convert their Priuses > to plug-in hybrids, under legislation that is currently pending in > Congress. > My understanding is that the legislation, as it has been drafted, only > provides federal tax credits to plug-in hybrid conversion kits that have > been certified by the DOT, EPA, and NHTSA, and must be installed by > certified installers. > > Charles Whalen > Florida EAA > > > Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:25:11 -0400 > From: "Joseph T. " <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON > TOYOTA] > To: "david starky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "FLEAA Mailing List" > > Message-ID: > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > >> I never knew the FLEAA (specifically Charles Whalen) had such supplies >> or sources for the Rav4 EV. >> >> "We have facilitated the conversion of a number of Priuses to plug-in >> h
Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON
Are there a,y funds or rebates for conversion to full electric for other vehicles or is it just for prius? Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile -Original Message- From: "Fran Sullivan-Fahs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:38:19 To:"Charles Whalen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,"FLEAA Mailing List" Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON Wow, Charles. I didn't know that there was that $4,000 rebate pending for conversion of Prii with the A 123. Will it be retroactive for those already converted, do you think? Fran - Original Message - From: "Charles Whalen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Florida EAA" Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 4:35 PM Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON > Hi Joseph and all, > > There is nothing new about this. I have posted to the FLEAA on this > subject > previously about these services and parts supplies & inventory. One > important thing I have mentioned in my previous posts on this subject but > did not mention in yesterday's post, which is worth pointing out, is that > I > offer these parts and services as a FLEAA member, and in keeping with the > FLEAA's non-profit status, I do so without making any profit, without > charging any markup on the parts supplies and inventory, and without > charging anything for my time, services, and labor -- absolutely nothing! > (This is no different than, for instance, the National EAA, which offers, > through its Chairman Ron Freund's services, Avcon to 14-50 adaptor boxes, > to > EAA members at the cost of materials, with no markup added and no > compensation to Ron for his time and labor in making up these boxes.) I > spent a good deal of my time servicing and troubleshooting a problem with > one South Florida-based RAV4-EV for a FLEAA member a few weeks ago, all on > my own time and without charge. It turned out that the problem was not > with > the car but with the charger. The only immediate fix to get the car back > on > the road again for its driver was for me to sell the owner a new inductive > charger from my inventory. The owner wanted to pay me more than I had > paid > for the charger so that I could make something on it. I politely declined > his kind offer and insisted that I would only sell the charger at my cost > that I had paid for it, pointing out that I do this as a non-profit > service > for FLEAA members, and that it is not my intention to make money off of > EVers. > > Another point I would like to make is that in facilitating Prius plug-in > hybrid conversions with the government-certified A123/Hymotion kit, I > personally, the FLEAA as an organization, do not have any business or > financial relationship, investment, or interest in the companies involved > in > that business. I/we simply provide information and referral services to > people in Florida who are interested in converting their Priuses to > plug-in > hybrid. The A123/Hymotion kit is the only DOT/EPA/NHTSA certified kit > that > is eligible for federal government rebates of up to $4,000, principally in > the form of federal tax credits, for individuals who convert their Priuses > to plug-in hybrids, under legislation that is currently pending in > Congress. > My understanding is that the legislation, as it has been drafted, only > provides federal tax credits to plug-in hybrid conversion kits that have > been certified by the DOT, EPA, and NHTSA, and must be installed by > certified installers. > > Charles Whalen > Florida EAA > > > Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:25:11 -0400 > From: "Joseph T. " <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON > TOYOTA] > To: "david starky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "FLEAA Mailing List" > > Message-ID: > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > >> I never knew the FLEAA (specifically Charles Whalen) had such supplies >> or sources for the Rav4 EV. >> >> "We have facilitated the conversion of a number of Priuses to plug-in >> hybrids using the DOT/EPA/NHTSA-certified A123/Hymotion PHEV >> kit both by individuals, including some of our Florida EAA members, >> and commercial and government fleet operators in Florida, and are >> continuing to do so." >> >> Charles, have the A123 kits been government certified yet? > > > ___ > Florida EAA mailing list > listserv@floridaeaa.org > http://www.floridaeaa.org > ___ Florida EAA mailing list listserv@floridaeaa.org http://www.floridaeaa.org ___ Florida EAA mailing list listserv@floridaeaa.org http://www.floridaeaa.org
Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON
Wow, Charles. I didn't know that there was that $4,000 rebate pending for conversion of Prii with the A 123. Will it be retroactive for those already converted, do you think? Fran - Original Message - From: "Charles Whalen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Florida EAA" Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 4:35 PM Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON > Hi Joseph and all, > > There is nothing new about this. I have posted to the FLEAA on this > subject > previously about these services and parts supplies & inventory. One > important thing I have mentioned in my previous posts on this subject but > did not mention in yesterday's post, which is worth pointing out, is that > I > offer these parts and services as a FLEAA member, and in keeping with the > FLEAA's non-profit status, I do so without making any profit, without > charging any markup on the parts supplies and inventory, and without > charging anything for my time, services, and labor -- absolutely nothing! > (This is no different than, for instance, the National EAA, which offers, > through its Chairman Ron Freund's services, Avcon to 14-50 adaptor boxes, > to > EAA members at the cost of materials, with no markup added and no > compensation to Ron for his time and labor in making up these boxes.) I > spent a good deal of my time servicing and troubleshooting a problem with > one South Florida-based RAV4-EV for a FLEAA member a few weeks ago, all on > my own time and without charge. It turned out that the problem was not > with > the car but with the charger. The only immediate fix to get the car back > on > the road again for its driver was for me to sell the owner a new inductive > charger from my inventory. The owner wanted to pay me more than I had > paid > for the charger so that I could make something on it. I politely declined > his kind offer and insisted that I would only sell the charger at my cost > that I had paid for it, pointing out that I do this as a non-profit > service > for FLEAA members, and that it is not my intention to make money off of > EVers. > > Another point I would like to make is that in facilitating Prius plug-in > hybrid conversions with the government-certified A123/Hymotion kit, I > personally, the FLEAA as an organization, do not have any business or > financial relationship, investment, or interest in the companies involved > in > that business. I/we simply provide information and referral services to > people in Florida who are interested in converting their Priuses to > plug-in > hybrid. The A123/Hymotion kit is the only DOT/EPA/NHTSA certified kit > that > is eligible for federal government rebates of up to $4,000, principally in > the form of federal tax credits, for individuals who convert their Priuses > to plug-in hybrids, under legislation that is currently pending in > Congress. > My understanding is that the legislation, as it has been drafted, only > provides federal tax credits to plug-in hybrid conversion kits that have > been certified by the DOT, EPA, and NHTSA, and must be installed by > certified installers. > > Charles Whalen > Florida EAA > > > Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:25:11 -0400 > From: "Joseph T. " <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON > TOYOTA] > To: "david starky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "FLEAA Mailing List" > > Message-ID: > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > >> I never knew the FLEAA (specifically Charles Whalen) had such supplies >> or sources for the Rav4 EV. >> >> "We have facilitated the conversion of a number of Priuses to plug-in >> hybrids using the DOT/EPA/NHTSA-certified A123/Hymotion PHEV >> kit both by individuals, including some of our Florida EAA members, >> and commercial and government fleet operators in Florida, and are >> continuing to do so." >> >> Charles, have the A123 kits been government certified yet? > > > ___ > Florida EAA mailing list > listserv@floridaeaa.org > http://www.floridaeaa.org > ___ Florida EAA mailing list listserv@floridaeaa.org http://www.floridaeaa.org
Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON
Hi Joseph and all, There is nothing new about this. I have posted to the FLEAA on this subject previously about these services and parts supplies & inventory. One important thing I have mentioned in my previous posts on this subject but did not mention in yesterday's post, which is worth pointing out, is that I offer these parts and services as a FLEAA member, and in keeping with the FLEAA's non-profit status, I do so without making any profit, without charging any markup on the parts supplies and inventory, and without charging anything for my time, services, and labor -- absolutely nothing! (This is no different than, for instance, the National EAA, which offers, through its Chairman Ron Freund's services, Avcon to 14-50 adaptor boxes, to EAA members at the cost of materials, with no markup added and no compensation to Ron for his time and labor in making up these boxes.) I spent a good deal of my time servicing and troubleshooting a problem with one South Florida-based RAV4-EV for a FLEAA member a few weeks ago, all on my own time and without charge. It turned out that the problem was not with the car but with the charger. The only immediate fix to get the car back on the road again for its driver was for me to sell the owner a new inductive charger from my inventory. The owner wanted to pay me more than I had paid for the charger so that I could make something on it. I politely declined his kind offer and insisted that I would only sell the charger at my cost that I had paid for it, pointing out that I do this as a non-profit service for FLEAA members, and that it is not my intention to make money off of EVers. Another point I would like to make is that in facilitating Prius plug-in hybrid conversions with the government-certified A123/Hymotion kit, I personally, the FLEAA as an organization, do not have any business or financial relationship, investment, or interest in the companies involved in that business. I/we simply provide information and referral services to people in Florida who are interested in converting their Priuses to plug-in hybrid. The A123/Hymotion kit is the only DOT/EPA/NHTSA certified kit that is eligible for federal government rebates of up to $4,000, principally in the form of federal tax credits, for individuals who convert their Priuses to plug-in hybrids, under legislation that is currently pending in Congress. My understanding is that the legislation, as it has been drafted, only provides federal tax credits to plug-in hybrid conversion kits that have been certified by the DOT, EPA, and NHTSA, and must be installed by certified installers. Charles Whalen Florida EAA Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:25:11 -0400 From: "Joseph T. " <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON TOYOTA] To: "david starky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "FLEAA Mailing List" Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > I never knew the FLEAA (specifically Charles Whalen) had such supplies > or sources for the Rav4 EV. > > "We have facilitated the conversion of a number of Priuses to plug-in > hybrids using the DOT/EPA/NHTSA-certified A123/Hymotion PHEV > kit both by individuals, including some of our Florida EAA members, > and commercial and government fleet operators in Florida, and are > continuing to do so." > > Charles, have the A123 kits been government certified yet? ___ Florida EAA mailing list listserv@floridaeaa.org http://www.floridaeaa.org
Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON TOYOTA]
I never knew the FLEAA (specifically Charles Whalen) had such supplies or sources for the Rav4 EV. "We have facilitated the conversion of a number of Priuses to plug-in hybrids using the DOT/EPA/NHTSA-certified A123/Hymotion PHEV kit both by individuals, including some of our Florida EAA members, and commercial and government fleet operators in Florida, and are continuing to do so." Charles, have the A123 kits been government certified yet? On 4/21/08, david starky <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Thank you so much for your information, i will pass it on to the dealership > and see if we can refer any clients to you in the future, > > Please note that i also have a referral plan, I will pay $100 for any > referral given to me who purchases a car from lipton > > i have attached a copy in the file attached, and if you like i can send hard > copys to your association > > this is a $1 Dollar over invoice special > > kindest regards > David Starky > LIPTON TOYOTA > > > > -Original message- > From: "Charles Whalen" [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:44:11 -0500 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Re: BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON TOYOTA] > > > Hi David, > > > > Charles Whalen here from the Florida Electric Auto Association > > (www.floridaeaa.org). Just to let you know, there are a number of Toyota > > RAV4-EVs in South Florida and a lot of interest from folks in Florida in > > buying and bringing more of them down here. > > > > Since local Toyota dealers are not equipped to support the RAV4-EV, the > > Florida EAA does so, and is fully prepared and equipped to do so. We > > provide full service and repair support for both the Toyota RAV4-EV and the > > offboard inductive chargers. We have the Toyota dealers' handheld scantool > > with the RAV4-EV datacard (something that no Toyota dealer in Florida has), > > which can read all the RAV4-EV-specific error codes as well as all the > > voltages and impedance values of the 24 battery modules. We also maintain a > > good-sized inventory of the few failure-prone parts on the car, such as the > > charge port cooling fan and the rectifier assembly, as well as a smaller > > inventory of all of the power control electronics and components on the car. > > We also maintain a large inventory of offboard inductive chargers, which we > > use to support the South Florida fleet of RAV4-EVs. Furthermore, we also > > have the Toyota dealers' battery pack lift and support cradle for the > > RAV4-EV battery compartment (something, which here again, no Toyota dealer > > in Florida has). In addition to that, we are closely tied in with the > > network of RAV4-EV owners worldwide and are the first to know of any for > > sale. So if you have any customers who are interested in purchasing a > > RAV4-EV, please feel free to refer them to us in the Florida Electric Auto > > Association, as we can facilitate their purchase and transport to South > > Florida of a RAV4-EV and can provide them with a complete support network > > locally here in South Florida for all of their servicing needs. > > > > In addition to that, we in the Florida EAA also facilitate the conversion of > > Priuses to plug-in hybrids, using the only DOT-certified, EPA-certified, and > > fully NHTSA-certified and crash-tested conversion kit, that from > > A123/Hymotion with their 2nd generation BREM kit. The Florida EAA is very > > active and involved with city, local, and state fleet operators, managers, > > and policy makers, government officials, and politicians throughout the > > state of Florida, as well as commercial fleet operators. We have > > facilitated the conversion of a number of Priuses to plug-in hybrids using > > the DOT/EPA/NHTSA-certified A123/Hymotion PHEV kit both by individuals, > > including some of our Florida EAA members, and commercial and government > > fleet operators in Florida, and are continuing to do so. > > > > If you have any individual retail customers and/or any commercial or > > governmental fleet operator customers who are looking to convert their 2004 > > to 2008 Model Year Priuses to plug-in hybrid, with a 30-mile initial daily > > electric-equivalent range, which gets 120 miles per gallon for the first 60 > > miles per day, I would encourage you to have them contact us here at the > > Florida Electric Auto Association, either to me personally at > > [EMAIL PROTECTED], or through our website and its contact forms at > > www.floridaeaa.org, and we would be happy to facilitate the conversion of > > their Priuses to plug-in hybrid. > > > > We in the Florida EAA and our sister organization, Plug In America > > (www.pluginamerica.org), have excellent working relationships with both > > Toyota USA Corporate headquarters in Torrance, California and top executives > > there, as well as with local Toyota dealers here in South and Central > > Florida. We now have some local South and Central Florida Toyota dealers > > who have either joined
Re: [FLEAA] BROWARD COUNTY NEW CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT LIPTON TOYOTA]
Hi David, Charles Whalen here from the Florida Electric Auto Association (www.floridaeaa.org). Just to let you know, there are a number of Toyota RAV4-EVs in South Florida and a lot of interest from folks in Florida in buying and bringing more of them down here. Since local Toyota dealers are not equipped to support the RAV4-EV, the Florida EAA does so, and is fully prepared and equipped to do so. We provide full service and repair support for both the Toyota RAV4-EV and the offboard inductive chargers. We have the Toyota dealers' handheld scantool with the RAV4-EV datacard (something that no Toyota dealer in Florida has), which can read all the RAV4-EV-specific error codes as well as all the voltages and impedance values of the 24 battery modules. We also maintain a good-sized inventory of the few failure-prone parts on the car, such as the charge port cooling fan and the rectifier assembly, as well as a smaller inventory of all of the power control electronics and components on the car. We also maintain a large inventory of offboard inductive chargers, which we use to support the South Florida fleet of RAV4-EVs. Furthermore, we also have the Toyota dealers' battery pack lift and support cradle for the RAV4-EV battery compartment (something, which here again, no Toyota dealer in Florida has). In addition to that, we are closely tied in with the network of RAV4-EV owners worldwide and are the first to know of any for sale. So if you have any customers who are interested in purchasing a RAV4-EV, please feel free to refer them to us in the Florida Electric Auto Association, as we can facilitate their purchase and transport to South Florida of a RAV4-EV and can provide them with a complete support network locally here in South Florida for all of their servicing needs. In addition to that, we in the Florida EAA also facilitate the conversion of Priuses to plug-in hybrids, using the only DOT-certified, EPA-certified, and fully NHTSA-certified and crash-tested conversion kit, that from A123/Hymotion with their 2nd generation BREM kit. The Florida EAA is very active and involved with city, local, and state fleet operators, managers, and policy makers, government officials, and politicians throughout the state of Florida, as well as commercial fleet operators. We have facilitated the conversion of a number of Priuses to plug-in hybrids using the DOT/EPA/NHTSA-certified A123/Hymotion PHEV kit both by individuals, including some of our Florida EAA members, and commercial and government fleet operators in Florida, and are continuing to do so. If you have any individual retail customers and/or any commercial or governmental fleet operator customers who are looking to convert their 2004 to 2008 Model Year Priuses to plug-in hybrid, with a 30-mile initial daily electric-equivalent range, which gets 120 miles per gallon for the first 60 miles per day, I would encourage you to have them contact us here at the Florida Electric Auto Association, either to me personally at [EMAIL PROTECTED], or through our website and its contact forms at www.floridaeaa.org, and we would be happy to facilitate the conversion of their Priuses to plug-in hybrid. We in the Florida EAA and our sister organization, Plug In America (www.pluginamerica.org), have excellent working relationships with both Toyota USA Corporate headquarters in Torrance, California and top executives there, as well as with local Toyota dealers here in South and Central Florida. We now have some local South and Central Florida Toyota dealers who have either joined the Florida EAA as corporate members or signed on as corporate sponsors. We also have other automobile dealers in South Florida who are corporate members/sponsors. We would love to work with you and welcome you to the Florida Electric Auto Association as a corporate member or sponsor. We have Toyota dealers in South and Central Florida who sponsor some of our biggest annual events as corporate sponsors and bring out a number of their excellent hybrid cars to showcase at our events. As you probably know, Toyota used in the Prius a lot of the technology originally developed for the RAV4-EV, which is also why the Prius makes such a great conversion candidate to plug-in hybrid. I assume that you are also aware that Toyota has announced that it's next major upgrade to the Prius will be a plug-in hybrid, and in fact Toyota already has a number of their early prototype next-generation Prius plug-in hybrids on the road in both Japan and California. There are at least 4 of them in California that I am aware of, which are being road tested and evaluated by UC Irvine and UC Berkeley, with more on the way. Mild hybrids like the current Prius, plug-in hybrids like the current early prototype next-gen plug-in Prius from Toyota, as well as the commercially-available DOT/EPA/NTSA-certified A123/Hymotion PHEV aftermarket conversion kits, and fully electric RAV4-EVs are all closely related electric vehicles
