Letters.(Letter to the Editor)

It's fairly easy being green

Regarding Challenge Bibendum (Oct. 27): As an enthusiast, I welcome efforts to bring increased numbers of "green'' automobiles to market that retain the pleasure of driving. But I resent the notion that implementation of newer, cleaner technology is up to legislators. This approach has been tried repeatedly and has failed (especially in my home state of California). Instead, challenge the free-market economy. Make vehicles practical, fun and cost-effective and you'll sell units. We live in an educated consumer society these days. Show people that the compromises are minimal and the benefits are tangible-they'll buy them.

Jason Lombard, Watsonville, Calif.

Ecology or not, for those of us who love cars and motorsports, the long-term future of the transportation world is damn important. Performance standards that developers are setting, like AC Propulsion and its Tzero, give us hope not only for fun and responsible alternative power, but also for extending the availability of the 91-octane my roadster needs. It works both ways. My next sedan will probably be a hybrid, as garage partner to the Porsche.

Henry Riggs, Menlo Park, Calif.

I can envision the day, sometime in our fuel-cell electric-car future, when someone says, "Let's see the motor in that thing,'' and actually means motor.

Jay Silverberg, via e-mail