LIZA’S RIDE FOR RENEWAL: A WEEK AWAY!

Seeing the movie Who Killed The Electric Car? set 14-year-old Liza Stoner on a bicycling odyssey that finds her now little more than a week from Washington, D.C., where she will deliver a petition demanding federal incentives to make electric vehicles (EVs) more available to U.S. car buyers.

Liza and her mom, Amy, bicycled out of Minneapolis, Minn., June 16 to deliver Liza's petition give us electric cars! to their home state's national political representatives.

From Liza's petition: “We the people are asking you [Congress] to pass legislation that would grant tax credits and incentives to companies who design, produce, manufacture or sell electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. Additionally, we are asking for tax credits for organizations that purchase fully electric vehicles for their fleets, such as delivery and mail services, municipal and state police, private security firms, and school and municipal bus systems.”

Liza, Amy and the Stoner family are camping and sightseeing as they go. Dad Jeff is driving the support vehicle and little brother Christopher is his co-pilot. (Older sister Correil will join them as soon as summer camp ends.) After a trying trip across Wisconsin, summer fun in Michigan and tribulations in Ohio, they were in Somerset, Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh, on July 13, and headed for Cumberland, Maryland, with their sights firmly fixed on D.C. and delivering the petition on July 18.

The trip has given Liza time to think aobut electric cars. “It’s been really fun,” she told NewEnergyNews July 13. “I’ve had time to think how much better it would be if all the cars were electric.”

And quieter on the highway? NewEnergyNews asked.

‘Yeah,” she laughed enthusiastically.

On Liza’s website, she describes the feelings and ideas she’s developed about EVs: “…the technology to produce fully electric vehicles (EVs) exists…EVs are superior to gas-powered cars…Electricity is cheaper than gas and can come from renewable sources such as solar and wind power…Electric cars are more reliable and require less maintenance…By using domestically generated electricity rather than foreign oil, we may achieve energy independence and…security…Electric cars can use the existing electric grid and do not require that new infrastructure…”

Liza’s commitment has drawn over 1200 fans from all over the world to sign the online petition. Many have added inspiring encouragement. Sign Liza's petition and read the comments at give us electric cars!

She’s looking forward to arriving in the nation’s capital. She’s developed an email correspondence with Who Killed The Electric Car? star Chelsea Sexton, who is reportedly arranging an official visit for Liza to deliver the petition to Representative Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), one of Congress’s most outspoken New Energy advocates.

Lots of people pontificate about change. Nothing speaks more eloquently than action and what Liza has done with her summer vacation speaks volumes about her and her cause. It brings to mind an often-quoted couplet from W.H. Murray, a bold Scottish mountain climber who conquered Himalayan peaks in the early 1950s:

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

Keep up with Liza’s journey: As the Crank Turns

click to enlarge

Across Ohio and Into Pennsylvania, A Week from Delivering Her Petition
Herman K. Trabish, July 14, 2008 (exclusive to NewEnergyNews)

WHO
Liza Stoner, 14; Representative Jay Inslee (D-Washington)

WHAT
On her Ride For Renewal, Liza Stoner has spent her summer vacation bicycling 1500+ miles from her home town to the nation’s capital to deliver a message to lawmakers: Get behind the Electric Car!

Liza and little brother Christopher and one of the rules of the road. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
Liza left June 16 and still expects to arrive in D.C. July 18.

WHERE
1,585 miles from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Washington, D.C. - by bike!

WHY
- Liza was inspired by the movie Who Killed The Electric Car?
- Liza was excited to pick up inside chatter in Michigan from engineers who worked on the EV1.
- Liza’s website features the Zap X, the Tesla Roadster and the Zenn electric cars.
- The website also has a link to Plug In America
- More PHEV doings at Plug-In Partners

Liza and mom Amy on a well-deserved break. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Liza: “I am hoping to be a very active environmentalist. Since the spring of 2007 I have wanted to ride my bike to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness about the need for electric vehicles and to deliver a petition asking for tax credits and incentives for companies who produce or purchase electric cars.”