Seeking relief from pain at the pump? Electric vehicles are ready to roll

With gas prices rising above four dollars per gallon, families and businesses are feeling the effects.  And once again elected officials are clamoring for action to instantly reverse that trend.  But we know that you can't bring down energy prices overnight.

Fortunately, since 2009, the Department of Transportation has been investing in transportation options that free Americans from the high cost of refilling their gas-powered cars.

Whether it's high-speed rail, transit, or walkable, bikeable streets, we are working to foster alternatives so people can choose to quit feeding their local gas pumps and continue feeding their families, their college savings accounts, and their retirement funds.

"Innovation Motorcade" charges through Washington

One approach that is already reducing fuel costs for drivers and creating jobs is the Obama Administration's support for electric and hybrid vehicles.  Earlier today, I was happy to share that news at the Electric Drive Transportation Association’s 2011 Conference.  And, for those who didn’t realize the maturity of this industry, today’s “Innovation Motorcade” of electric vehicles parading through Washington, DC, was a real eye-opener.

A few years ago, US businesses made just 2 percent of batteries for emerging cars like the Chevy Volt and the electric Ford Focus. But a few years from now, America will be home to 40 percent of the world's automotive battery manufacturing capacity.  That means jobs.  In fact, workers are on the job right now, pioneering advanced batteries at Compact Power in Michigan.

It also means the status quo on America's roadways is beginning to give way to a future--long overdue--in which electric and hybrid vehicles are the norm, not the exception.

Am I sad that my Buick Regal is about to become a classic?  Not at all.  I'm excited that we're finally on the verge of a 21st century transportation system that suits the energy and environmental realities we face.

We've arrived at this point because the Obama Administration proposed a $7,500 tax rebate for customers who choose hybrid or electric cars.

We've arrived at this point because, in addition to its support of new battery technologies, DOT is expanding access to the charging stations that will give drivers the confidence to climb into electric vehicles.  That includes a grant to an Oregon-based pilot program that will install charging stations every 50 miles along the busy I-5 corridor.

And we've arrived at this point by helping create a market for electric and hybrid vehicles so automakers have an incentive to build more of them.  In a little over two years, the government has doubled its stock of hybrid cars and trucks.  The President has also directed departments and agencies to make sure that, by 2015, 100 percent of the vehicles we buy are fuel-efficient or clean-energy.

America's businesses are also helping accelerate the transition.  Shippers like FedEx and UPS--as well as other companies--are keenly aware of trends in gas prices and are already leading the way by purchasing advanced techonology vehicles.

All of this is good news for those seeking an alternative to refilling their family car with $4-per-gallon gasoline.  But we haven't turned the corner yet.  We still need the support of the enterprising folks at today's Electric Drive Conference.  They have been terrific partners in helping us get this far, and we're counting on them to continue turning today's promise of America's electric vehicle industry into tomorrow's reality.

Comments

[John Kelly]

Stronger clean car standards are the only proven way to bring down the cost of energy, create jobs, protect our environment, and save consumers' money at the pump.

[Lessye DeMoss]

I applaud the administration's support for electric and other alternative fuel vehicles. For passenger cars, this is clearly the way to go, combined with cleaner ways of electricity production and a more efficient energy grid.

I also believe the administration should support stricter standards for fuel efficiency in American vehicles. For instance, I have just read that we are working on a trade agreement with South Korea that will require them to lower their strict standards for fuel efficiency in order to allow American car manufacturers to market their products in Korea. This is embarassing. Why don't we take their lead and just insist along with them that our auto manufacturers do the right thing?

[Kevin McKinney]

I hope we'll see robust mileage standards--that would be a win for all of us!

[Paula Rucker]

I encourage you to continue to raise fuel efficiency standards. Do not listen to lobbiests for the auto industry and oil companies. We can create vehicles that get 50, 60, or more miles per gallon by 2025. This will give American companies the incentive to design vehicles that meet higher standards. It will lead to more jobs for American workers, less carbon emissions, and less money spent at the fuel pump.

[Walt Vredeveld]

Secretary LaHood,

I applaud your efforts to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels. We all know that the only way to impact the rising price of gasoline is to use less. However, please make sure that higher MPG standards for auto manufacturers are a high priority piece of your work. Public transportation, cycling, walkable cities are all great parts of your plan but raising the fuel standards is the piece that has the most significant potential for reducing our fuel use. People are going to "get out of their cars" very very reluctantly.

Thank you.

Walt Vredeveld

[Don D Reeder]

The cost of gas is not out of line with the true economic burden. The problem is that the bulk of the "profit" is not invested in necessary changes that lead to a sustainable energy economy. We can and must decrease the US energy intensity which is about twice as large as our European partners. The support of non-conventional vehicles must continue, as it is an important part of the effort to address atmospheric pollution and dependence on foreign oil. To this end, the enhancement of the passenger rail alternative is necessary as well as the CAFE requirements and the initial encouragement of the market. It seems apparent that we have unnecessarily and shortsightedly "outsourced" the Research and Development that will provide the basis for a sustainable economic future. This should be reversed.

[vince dewitt]

Please make mileage standards higher. I am in Miami now and the amount of traffic is staggering. It's hard to believe all these cars aren't affecting the environment in an adverse way.

Sincerely,

Vince DeWitt

[Dan Morick]

We need stronger standards for fuel efficiency. I would like to see a 60 MPG standard by 2025. Auto makers are fighting this, and I can only speculate about why. But it is a fact that my 1990 VW Jetta got over 30 MPG, and we are doing little better than that in 2011. With consideration of the vast, general technological advancements since then, there is much room for improvement regarding fuel efficiency, and it is vital that we achieve it, and quickly.

[Lorraine Moore]

We had the technology to do this in the 1980s but better late than never!

[Joanne Ishisaka]

Electric cars and trucks are great if they are not powered by dirty power plants. Strong vehicle standards are still important if we are to achieve real savings on our fuel use and reduce our carbon emissions. Keep pushing for at least 60 miles per gallon standards.

[Paul ames]

My current vehicle gets around 60 mpg (a 2000 Insight). I would love to improve on that, but this article fails to provide a direct method to do so. Who sells the electric vehicles? How does one qualify for the tax credit? When will national fuel economy standards catch up to the mileage I'm already getting? When will the U.S. tax gasoline to at least $5 a gallon and keep it there to promote alternatives, protect our national security which is threatened by every imported barrel of oil, and sell this environmentally destructive product at something closer to what it actually costs?

[steve namkoong]

Sec. LaHood touts the DOT's role in electric vehicle development, but does not mention that the way to get these vehicles—and the pump savings and emissions relief they offer- to U.S. drivers is by committing to strong clean car standards through 2025. In fact, Sec. LaHood is poised to make critical decisions on these standards this summer that could be as strong as 60 miles per gallon by 2025. But automakers are pressuring you to set much weaker standards that wouldn’t deliver the savings at the pump, pollution reductions, or oil savings we need. Do not sell our future for the instant gratification.

[Doug & Jan in CO]

Please support stronger pollution and mileage standards for new cars...it is time we omoved beyond fossil fuels and move to a renewable fuel economy in America.

[Nicholas Petti]

It's also time for government to take the lead in insisting on higher fuel economy standards. The car industry will not change willingly. Put some teeth into this effort and we may become a more secure, less dependent on foreign oil nation.

[Gwen Kerber]

As a nurse I would like to say that in addition to curbing global warming, and saving money at the pump, if vehicles were required to attain a 60 miles per gallon norm the pollution reduction would be enormously beneficial to public health. This reason alone (though the others are also very important) should be enough to convince anyone (including global warming skeptics) that cars need to be as fuel efficient as they possibly can be.

[Joseph H. Wessling]

A hearty thank-you, Secretary LaHood and others in the Obama administration for all you have done and are doing and I'm confident will do to promote clean energy, especially clean cars, and to further the US role in the development and manufacture of clean technology. I thank you and our planet, if it had a voice, would thank you.
Joe Wessling
Cincinnati, Ohio

[David Koppel]

America needs to move as quickly as possible to a clean car future that will free more of us from high gasoline prices and reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

Please support 60 miles per gallon vehicles by 2025.

David and Linda Koppel

[bill leonard]

Sec.LaHood...I've been saying for years that "they" could make a car that got a 100 miles to the gallon if the oil companies could still make their OBSCENE profits!! Now is the time! Stand up for America,help us out.The people are losing the economic battle while the rich and super-rich are winning the war!!

[Isabel Best]

One of the most important ways to hold down carbon emissions and slow down global warming is through greener car design. Global warming is now causing suffering in full view in the paths left by tornadoes and along the Mississippi flood plain. We are counting on you to be part of the solution!

[Allen Rozelle]

It's about time!

[David Mount, St. Louis, MO]

Secretary LaHood,
It is critical to the survival of this nation as well as to the planet that sustainable practices are adopted by the citizens of this country. Many aren't going to like the needed changes and may have to be brought along "kicking and screaming" just like so many two-year olds who don't like change. That reticent group must also include the auto industry which has for decades resisted the absolute necessity of ALL models of private and public transport vehicles that consume less energy, not just measured by a "fleet average mileage" which we ALL know is absolute bull, especially when those models which get the mandated mileage only comprise single-digit percentage of that manufacturer's annual sales volume in number of units.
While the private transportation issue is an imperative, any intellectually capable individual knows that a REAL WORLD solution is not a simple, all-eggs-in-one-basket effort, but a very sophisticated, daring, forward-looking plan comprised of many diverse approaches. For this reason, it is critical that our goals include changes to the way that the government addresses and funds the railroad transportation and urban/rural bus companies to ensure that they get a share of taxpayer dollars that allows them to compete with the unfair history of airline subsidization of the last 50 years.
Mr. Secretary, I urge you to implement a spectrum of programs that will make a significant and lasting difference in the way our country uses energy and other resources and protection of the environment so that we can sustain the way of life we have worked towards since the country's inception.
Thank you.

[Philip Wesgt]

Secretary LaHood:

This is long overdue and exciting news. There's no question we have the technological capability and know how to make such advances. A whole world of fun, innovation, cleaner output, and new jobs is possible because of Obama's push to make this happen.

Thank you for taking the steps necessary to get this priority on steadier ground.

[Fred Nadelman, LMSW]

All civilian vehicles should use electricity, preferably powered by the sun.

[Alex Necker]

Secretary LaHood,

As you modify MPG standards for auto makers, please be as aggressive as possible at say 60 MPG. This will provide everyone the incentive to step up research and development to develop technology necessary to make this work!!

Thank you,
Alex Necker

[Suzanne Kistler]

I am heartened to read of Secy.LaHood's actions to reduce the deadly effects of emissions from gas-powered engines. We MUST move forward with electric cars quickly, not just because gasoline is ridiculously expensive but for the future of our children. NOW is the time for courage:stand up to those who would delay change or temporize (and all for the sake of a few dollars today). We cannot afford not to act. Clean energy now!! Suzanne Kistler