Plug In America, a California-based nonprofit organization that advocates the use plug-in cars, has taken note of our crossing the threshold of a $4 per gallon national average for gasoline prices. The group, originally organized to fight the crushing of the electric cars produced to meet California's Zero Emission Mandate of the 1990s, has become a major player in the push for vehicle electrification. After a partially successful attempt to strengthen the California regulations - the revised Mandate now calls for more plug-in hybrids but fewer electric cars - they are calling on consumers to exercise their power. Linda Nichols, president of the organization, says "Call Toyota, call GM, call Ford, call them all and tell them that you won't buy another car until it can be plugged in and charged with electricity." A number of auto makers, including GM and Nissan, have announced plug-in cars in the 2010-2012 time frame. Full press release after the jump. [Full disclosure: I am on the Board of Plug In America]

Like many people, I first "met" Chelsea Sexton through the documentary film "Who Killed The Electric Car?" Last year, as part of the promotion for the movie, Chelsea spoke with AutoblogGreen about all sorts of things, including the fact that she won't buy a hybrid until there's a plug on one. She's sticking to her guns and has been working hard with Plug In America to put pressure on the automakers to make PHEVs. Chelsea says the she's heard from GM employees that without pressure from the public, the Volt would never been announced, much less gotten the promotion that we're seeing from GM. But why am I still typing? The whole reason for bringing a video camera to events is to allow us to present green car advocates in their own words.

We like Chelsea because you can stick a video camera in her face and she'll effortlessly float from topic to topic without losing focus or important details. The protest against Toyota that she mentions in the video was supposed to happen today, so we'll be on the lookout for new of that event.

Enjoy.

Related:

• Exclusive Q&A with Chelsea Sexton about the EV1, why the Prius gets a 'C', and who really killed the electric car
• Sundance's The Green does the "Drive" issue, the ABG review

If you've never heard Dr. Andy Frank, from UC Davis, speak about plug-in hybrids, you're in for a treat. Frank, who has been featured on AutoblogGreen quite a few times (highlights include an interview on UC Davis' Team Fate in the Auto X Prize and talking about kicking the oil habit with no sacrifice in lifestyle), is rightly considered one of the fathers of hybrid technology. He's been working on cars and PHEVs for thirty some years and spoke at the Santa Monica Alt Car Expo's Plug-In Technology Panel. I apologize for not including the cartoon images in the powerpoint presentation that Andy (everyone calls him Andy) used, but you can still get a great picture about the future of PHEVs in the talk.

The panel was moderated by Ron Johnston-Rodriguez, from the Port of Chelan, and also features Dean Taylor from Southern California Edison, Marguaritte Jones of Austin Energy, and Roger Slotkin of RS Management.

Hear it entire thing here.