Letters to Politicians
Sending letters to government officials is the most successful way for citizens to initiate change in our democracy. An effective message is relevant, specific in its request, truthful, positive and brief. The SAMPLE LETTER at the end of this page provides an effective framework for you to copy and paste to the official’s online e-mail form (or print and send via regular mail service.) The letter also provides a section for you to add a personal message after pasting it to the official’s email form.
Click on the links below for the corresponding official’s contact information.
SAMPLE LETTER – NiMH
Date:
Dear (Name of official),
The state of the U.S. automobile industry, our economy, the current wars, and the global environment weigh heavily on you as our political leader, and on me as a concerned citizen. There is a solution to these issues: exercising eminent domain over NiMH battery patents currently owned by Chevron Corporation. These electric car batteries will revolutionize the auto industry and thereby the world if you take action to restore public access to this crucial technology.
In 1997, Toyota began manufacturing the RAV4-EV (a 100 percent electric vehicle) using the standard RAV4 sport utility vehicle frame and design. The vehicles are powered by the U.S. invented and patented nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery. Some of these cars are still on the road today (2010), driven by everyday Americans and utilized by American companies, exceeding performance expectations.
General Motors (GM) and Chevron saw the production of these vehicles as a huge threat to the gas-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) economy that they had worked for so long to perfect. That’s why in 2001, GM and Chevron sued Toyota and Panasonic to stop using patented NiMH batteries. This lawsuit effectively shut down production of the RAV4-EV and all other 100 percent electric vehicles utilizing this technology. These vehicles will free the U.S. from dependence on foreign oil, position us as a leader in electric car development, save lives, save the environment, and dramatically stimulate the U.S. economy.
NiMH electric vehicle batteries are the most powerful and advanced traction batteries in the world, used in electric vehicles. Originally owned by GM and now by Chevron, the patent is currently prohibited for use in 100 percent electric vehicles with long driving range per charge. Only small capacity versions are being used in hybrids.
Give a brief personal story about how you have been personally affected by the U.S. dependency on foreign oil: can relate to you/your family serving in the military, to your car, your job, your finances, or your feelings on global warming.
Over the past 10 years, these batteries have proven to provide safe, reliable, economical, and environmentally friendly transportation in hundreds of existing Toyota RAV4-EVs. In light of the current state of the U.S. economy, national security and global ecology, it would serve the greater good of America, as well as the world, to unleash these patents for immediate use in 100 percent electric cars and to allow for further technological research.
Thank you for you immediate action regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
(Print Name and Address)
P.S. An excellent resource for a comprehensive analysis of this issue is the website: www.twocentspermile.org