Woolsey Supports Cheaper Alternative to the Chevy Volt: Gas Guzzler Retrofit
Let’s talk gas guzzler retrofits. For in March 2011, U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey threw her support behind a creative, low-cost way to cut oil use and emissions. She endorsed a plan to retrofit America’s “gas guzzlers” with plug-in hybrid technology.
Felix Kramer, founder of the California Cars Initiative (CalCars), proposed this idea. He argued that converting existing vehicles could deliver plug-in benefits at a fraction of a new electric car’s price. According to Kramer, retrofits could cost as little as $10,000—far less than the then-$40,000 price tag of a new Chevy Volt.
Retrofitting Older Cars for Big Savings
Moreover, this approach focused on scaling impact quickly. Rather than waiting for millions of new EVs to be built, drivers could upgrade the cars they already owned. Therefore, Kramer said, retrofits could dramatically cut oil consumption and pollution sooner.
Woolsey praised the idea for its practicality. She highlighted that many Americans couldn’t afford a new Volt but might pay less to upgrade their existing car. Even better, it would support domestic innovation and clean energy jobs.
Policy Push for Funding and Support
At the time, Woolsey backed a bill in Congress to fund research and deployment for vehicle retrofits. The proposal sought federal support to develop kits, test safety, and scale manufacturing.
She said public investment was essential to make these conversions affordable and accessible. By supporting innovation, lawmakers could help reduce oil dependence while strengthening the U.S. economy.
A Strategy for Faster Emissions Cuts
Kramer and Woolsey both argued that retrofitting was a vital strategy in the clean transportation mix. Even as automakers ramped up production of new electric vehicles, millions of gasoline-powered cars remained on the road.
Therefore, retrofits offered a way to make faster progress on climate goals. By converting older cars into plug-in hybrids, drivers could use less gas and lower emissions immediately.
Building a More Sustainable Future
Ultimately, Woolsey urged Congress to think creatively about transportation policy. She said supporting retrofit technology was a smart, cost-effective way to help Americans save money at the pump while cutting carbon pollution.
For more information about plug-in hybrid retrofits and clean transportation solutions, visit:
