Dear Cool the Earth Community,

A while back the TV show, South Park, aired an episode called "Smug Alert." The story line was that while Prius drivers were reducing "Smog Alerts," they were instead creating "Smug Alerts" due to their highly self-satisfied attitudes about driving hybrid vehicles.

As I climbed into the driver's seat of my new electric Nissan Leaf last week, I couldn't help wonder if I was causing my own Smug Alert? Perhaps, in truth, I would have to admit I was feeling a bit smug. And why not? Driving an electric vehicle and then plugging it in to re-charge are highly satisfying experiences!

However, there are so many more important things I feel when I drive my EV. Top of my list is - I feel happy. I'm happy to dramatically reduce my carbon footprint. I'm happy to support the growing clean tech auto market and the EV fueling infrastructure. I'm happy to spark others' thoughts that they might want to be an EV driver.

Electric vehicles are fast, affordable and ready for today's families. There are many benefits and considerations for an EV, including price tag, range, and cost and locations to refuel.

• Price: While some high-end EV's fill the luxury end of the market, other EV's are quite affordable, including the Leaf. Incredible rebates are still available for EV's and home chargers.
• Range: EV's can drive from 70 miles to over 300 miles before needing to re-charge. Typical drivers are on the go locally, so range will most likely be OK.
• Cost to refuel: In almost all cases it is significantly less expensive (and a lower carbon footprint) to refuel with electricity (be careful if you are in a coal state). Our cost is 25% of gas, because we have solar pv on our roof to charge our car!
• Refuel stations: the number one station will be your house or place of work. There are thousands of charging stations in the US (more than you might think) and CA is adding hundreds of fast charge stations (20-30 minutes).

While I've been focused on EV's, you might also want to consider a PHEV (Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle). Confused? This is a electric/gas gas that uses EV only technology for the first number of miles, then uses hybrid technology for the rest. Good offering for range-conscious drivers.

So, what if you don't have an EV or aren't in the market for one just yet? Does this mean no smugness or happiness for you? You have the opportunity to claim these things now! Be an efficient driver of your gas car. Take energy savings at home. Think carbon when you shop, when you dine, when you travel. Engage in climate talk with friends, neighbors and elected officials. Write that newspaper article about personal green choice - it may just get published!

Get behind your own personal climate actions and feel happy and just a little bit smug!

Happy New Year,

CARLEEN CULLEN

Founder and Executive Director

Cool the Earth 

Tune in to Climate One on Tuesday, January 29th 6pm PST to hear Carleen Cullen and a Cool the Earth student participate in a conversation with other youth advocates and social entrepreneurs educating students in school and in the Arctic and Antarctic. Climate One at The Commonwealth Club is a thriving leadership dialogue on energy, the environment and the economy. It brings together top thinkers and doers from business, government, academia and advocacy groups to advance the discussion about a clean energy future. You can download pod casts at iTunes.