With the plug-in hybrid increasingly successful as a vehicle type, we have refocused our attention to ensuring the broad success of plug-in cars. Here's some info about National Plug In Day, plus an update about DrtivingElectric -- to summarize, it's on hold. We will soon send around some news about what CalCars people are doing about larger issues: the transition to renewable energy and responding to climate change.

Here's what we posted at DrivingElectric http://drivingelectric.org/blogs/felixkramer/drivingelectric-adoption-or-sponsorship

DrivingElectric Up for Adoption or SponsorshipWhat's happened since we launched a year ago

It's a year since we launched DrivingElectric.org. Now it's time for another National Plug In Day. Please join in! This time it's stretched over two days, September 28-29, in over 95 locations in the U.S. and abroad. It's co-sponsored by Plug In America, the Electric Auto Association, and the Sierra Club.

To catch up on what happened with DrivingElectric in the first six months after last year's National Plug In Day, see "The Future of DrivingElectric" http://drivingelectric.org/blogs/felixkramer/future-drivingelectricorg from last March, with a June update in the comments below that posting.

Getting "butts in seats" remains widely recognized as one of the best strategies to build awareness and demand for EVs. There's no substitute for the actual experience of driving a plug-in car. And many people have praised DrivingElectric as a great way to connect people curious about plug-ins with those who drive them daily and wear the EV grin.

In 2012, we received our original funding mainly from The Electrification Coalition, the Electric Auto Association, and CalCars, and then got a second infusion from EC. Regrettably, we haven't gained the continuing financial support we need to operate and expand DrivingElectric -- and thereby demonstrate conclusively that plug-in drivers are helping to sell many cars.

We are exploring whether an existing institution or service can "adopt" or sponsor DrivingElectric. Then we hope to reach a point where automakers and industry suppliers will recognize DrivingElectric as a vital supplement to their marketing efforts. At that point, we hope they can support the service with annual contributions.

Meanwhile, we have closed off new signups because we don't have a staff to manage registrations and prevent spam. Our 800+ existing drivers remain available to answer questions and give test drives in many locations.

Thank you for supporting the concept and spreading the word! Please keep telling people about plug-in cars and support our partners and sponsors, especially, Plug In America, the Electric Auto Association, and the Electrification Coalition!