Stanford Law alumnus Miles Rubin has amassed enough money as a lawyer and business leader to retire more than comfortably, but the 78-year-old multi-millionaire has delayed retirement to pursue his dream of changing the world — one automobile at a time.

Rubin B.A. ‘50, J.D. ‘52, who amassed his fortune as a lawyer, a businessman trading Chinese products and director of several companies, founded Miles Automotive Group (MAG) in 2004 with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and pollution by building electric-powered cars.

He sees the electric car, a long-held dream among environmentalists and the fuel-conscious, as an important part of a solution to the world’s dependence on gasoline.

“We have to do something now to save the environment and improve political and economic problems related to petrol,” Rubin said. “I hope the time hasn’t passed by to make a dramatic change on how we handle our transportation problems throughout the world. The electric car can and will be an important part of the future.”

Rubin explained that his interest in electric vehicles stemmed from his involvement in the energy crisis in the 1970s, when he worked with actor Paul Newman to lobby Congress for support for electric cars.

“When the price of gasoline went down, people and the federal government lost interest,” Rubin said. “Their good intentions just drifted away with the wind.”

Three decades later, Rubin is pursuing his dream. He said he has spent well over $25 million of his personal fortune on MAG’s research and development.

The effort has already met with limited success. MAG has sold low-speed electric vehicles, which can charge from any wall outlet, to a number of institutions, including UCLA and NASA.

“Especially in fleet markets, there is a large usage of internal combustion vehicles doing roles that can easily be done by electric vehicles,” Rubin said. “Many universities pledge to become carbon neutral and have signed sustainability pledges but are still using low mileage, internal combustion vehicles and spew hydrocarbons out on their own campuses.”

Rubin’s alma mater has also purchased one of his creations.

“The Miles car has been a great addition for us,” said Frank Brucato, senior associate dean of administration at the Law School. “One of the great features of the car is the versatility. It meets all of our needs. Unlike some we have had in the past, it looks more like a car and has doors and locks, which are needed.”

But Rubin’s ambitions do not stop with selling low-speed electric vehicles to institutional fleets. He also plans to roll out a highway-speed electric car in 2009, which he hopes will primarily target the consumer market.

Electric vehicles produce zero emissions, reducing their drivers’ carbon footprint. However, they are not entirely carbon-neutral since the production of electricity still affects the environment.

“Eighty-five to 90 percent of all electricity could be produced cleanly if an emphasis [is placed] on renewable sources such as wind, nuclear and solar power,” Rubin said. “Apart from that, there is also the option of burning coal more cleanly. Examples would include carbon sequestration and carbon capture methods.”

He added that even if no action is taken to produce cleaner electricity, electric vehicles still produce less pollution than internal combustion vehicles.

Although MAG is a pioneer in the electric vehicle industry, Rubin explained that he does not mind competition and wants other vehicle manufacturers to take note of his efforts.

“Nothing would make me happier than major car companies switching a large part of their products to all electric,” he said. “If they do, I will feel like I have completed my goal.”

Rubin’s philanthropic vision extends beyond electric vehicles. Along with his wife, Nancy, he founded and funds the Law School’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) to encourage more students to go into the public service sector. Under the program, graduates receive loan repayment assistance for up to 10 years based on their income and the number of years they remain in public interest law. For those graduates who remain in a qualifying field for at least five years, up to 100 percent of LRAP loans may be forgiven.

“Many graduates had large debts upon leaving school, which circumscribed what they could do,” Rubin said. “As a result, most graduates would go into corporate practice in order to pay off their loans.”

Rubin created the LRAP program 20 years ago.

“We have had upwards of 300 LRAP graduates so far, and there are probably about 100 in the program right now,” he said. “Previously, Stanford used to see one or two graduates go into public interest each year. Now, in a typical year they usually have 15 or 16. Some of the very top law graduates go into public service.”

Rubin said that his generosity has been motivated by his own good fortune.

“Life has been very good for me since leaving Stanford,” Rubin said. “I felt that it was time for me to give back to the world and Stanford, and what I realized was that giving back is really not that hard. Even though progress may have been slow over the years, I am still optimistic about the future.”