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

[Stuart G. Poss]

Dear Secretary LaHood,

I am a citizen extremely concerned with our budget deficits and the role that America's over-reliance on fossil fuels, particularly imported oil, in increasing the deficit as well as adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, which is heating our planet, threatening our food supplies and making our oceans more acidic.

Consequently, I write to urge you to challenge US auto manufacturers to produce cars that drastically reduce the amount of gasoline/diesel fuel they burn per road mile and provide any and all possible incentives to manufacturers that produce hybrid and fully electric vehicles. This would greatly boost manufacturing jobs in the US including retooling entire industries that would rapidly propel our economy forward rather than down the no-win path of more and more oil consumption.

I drive a Prius. Although much of this vehicle is made in Japan and now more and more of them manufactured in the US, foreign auto makers are still leading the way in energy efficiency among vehicles under mass production. This represents a missed opportunity for US manufacturers and increasing difficulties for smaller US startup firms to compete.

I would like to make my next purchase American made, but I can't do this in good conscience if America produces only inferior, more polluting, and less efficient products. We need to set vehicular mileage standards as high as possible to challenge and, if need be, force American industries to compete while they still have time to do so.

After the most recent bailouts of American automakers, it is extremely unlikely that another one would received public support. Consequently, it is imperative for the US Department of Transportation challenge and if need be push them to become much more competitive in clean, electric technologies that represent the future of transportation before they are forced out of the market entirely by foreign competition.

We also need to see more initiatives on the part of the Department to facilitate the development of a transportation grid system to provide electrical power to for these vehicles in a highly distributed manner so that such vehicles can be driven further thereby providing a greater boost to our economy, save the environment, and facilitate a much more rapid shift to more efficient, clean transportation technologies.

Hence, I urge you to set the fleet vehicle standards for mpg at double their present levels in the next 5 years and triple in the next 10. Only by setting the bar high can we assure that America will provide the leadership necessary to remain competitive in the future.

Thank you,

Stuart G. Poss
Ocean Springs, MS

[Heather Kutch]

I really enjoyed your article. I am looking forward to buying an electric vehicle when I am sure there is a system in place for refueling, or recharging I should say. I also think a standard in place for fuel efficiency could move our economy and environment along. Everyone needs to be pushed a little by those with the expertise. I hope that standards for 60 miles per gallon will be in the near future for our automobiles. I use to brag about getting 32 miles per gallon; I would love to brag about getting 60 mpg.
Heather

[Greg Goodmacher]

We need cars, buses, and trains
that are more fuel efficient.

[George Muller]

If we are the smartest most innovative country in the world, and the car nation, how come we cannot build cars that are more fuel efficient? why is it that Japan can and Europe can?
alternative fuels and higher efficiency a must.

Sincerely
George Muller

[Margaret Meinschein]

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.

[Ed Reid]

Conservation of fuels is essential. Reduce fuel demand and reduce fuel price pressure. Reduce global warming. Reduce environmental degradation. Many ways to facilitate, but established corporate systems will fight change.

[Merle Showers]

Please maintain the highest possible mpg rating on cars. Do not allow auto manufacturers to convince you to lower the standards.

[robert s mahoney]

Please support a clean car standard of 60 miles per gallon that will help relieve pain at the pump, cut pollution, and bring new vehicle technologies—and the jobs they create—to market.

[Kat Stephens]

Your estimate of "a few Years" for the US to be manufacturing 40% of the batteries needed for new cars but how do you define "few years." Car manufacturers need to be making more energy efficient cars. I'm driving my 11 year old car until I can buy a car (at a reasonable price) that will get at least 50 MPG. The 2000 Camry I'm driving doesn't get quite as good mileage as my 1984 Camry did. Is this progress?

Keep pushing the car manufacturers to give the consumer what he needs and deserves.

Kat Stephens

[Robert L. Page]

Mr. Secretary: I read with interest an article indicating that you are contemplating making 60 mph a basic standard for gas mileage on motor vehicles in this country by 2025. I speak for many of us when I say that I urge you to do so. We must not only end Big Oil's rape of the American public but we, as citizens, must take the responsibility to do our own part by weaning ourselves from our oil addiction through biking and walking more in our everyday lives and buying cars that either run on much smaller amounts of gasoline or operate on alternative sources of energy. In the Obama administration, we feel that we finally have men and women in office like you who share our concerns and, more importantly, will act on them.

[Elizabeth Ceres]

The answer to rising prices at the pump isn't finding ways to bring the cost of gasoline down. Instead we need to increase the production of fuel efficient cars and bring the price of these vehicles way, way down, along with incentives to replace old cars, like President Obama's Cash for Clunkers Program. We need a phase two of this program. In addition, by contrast, the cost of gas guzzling SUVs and trucks needs to rise exponentially. People must have an incentive to buy cars that save them money not only at the gas station, but sticker price dollars as well. If the price of fuel stays high, then people will be forced to make changes which will help the environment as well as their pocketbooks. In addition, we need to invest in jobs creating energy with wind, and solar power.

[Gary Pellett]

Sec. LaHood,
We Americans are watching your support of improved auto effecianecy - and an improved clean car standard of 60 miles per gallon that will help relieve pain at the pump, cut pollution, and bring new vehicle technologies—and the jobs they create—to market.

[James Toth]

It is time for the US government to raise gas mileage standards to levels that will challenge the creativity of the car manufacturers. It is essential we get off our major addiction to Mid-East oil. It is costing us dearly through the military we station in the Mid-east and the wars we are waging in the Mid-east which are necessary only to protect those sources of oil.

[heather]

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.

[Gina Palmisano]

I hope everyone will please consider the need for more energy efficient cars. It not only affects the environment badly when gas usage is high, but think of our people in the military, who have fought the Gulf War and other wars atleast partially due to gas. I know the average consumer alone who buys cars has little power to change this, but if we all speak up, we can ensure in the future that all cars get much better gas milage and this will help us, the environment and the keep out troops safer.

[diane Johnson]

why not just convert cars to go on methane? it pours out of sewers, sea bed, thawing tundras, fermenting compost and swamps, and geothermal areas... no different than running on lpg gas? Methane is used for heat light and cooking on rural chinese farms out of their own septic system for house and livestock. Its 23 times more dangerous than co2. conversion could be cheaper, and oil produced electricity is not "green". dj

[Lisa]

Why dont you require cars to get at least 60 MPG or start getting into into these electric cars your'e talking about with cleaner car standards!!!

[Randy James Martinez]

Sec. LaHood,

Although hybrid and electric cats are beneficial;improving the clean car standards, such as, mandating the fuel efficieny to 60 miles a gallon is a more attainable goal for the next 10-15 years. Coal Combustion electrically plants still have to power these hybrid and electric cars. Let's make Cleaner cars that will help us lower the overall emissions of the planet.

[Charles R. Gadway]

This is great, but we also need higher mileage standards for all cars. 60 mpg is not too high a standard.

[William Reynolds]

I sure do like reading this blog from DOT, especially because it represents the "long view" in contrast to the short view of quarterly profit margins that U.S. auto makers emphasize. Also because it focuses on the day-to-day economics of middle class families like mine in contrast to those quarterly margins. To be consistent with these themes DOT must, in addition to what is discussed in this blog, advocate for a clean car standard of 60 miles per gallon by 2025. That standard will realistically impel the auto industry's best possible efforts to move America as swiftly as possible to stable, maximum relief of "pain at the pump" as well as cut pollution to make our environment cleaner & healthier, and bring new vehicle technologies—and the jobs they create—to market.

[Dan C. English]

For Secretary Ray LaHood,
Please support a clean car standard of
60 mpg. Our need to reduce pollution, reduce
gasoline prices, and develop new technologies
is obvious. Please resist the automakers lust
for insatiable profits and their willingmess
to continue the status quo in their financial
interests, not in our.
Sincere;y, Dan C. English, M.D.M.A.

[Donna Knipp]

Americans are watching your decisions, Mr. Secretary, and want you to support a clean car standard of 60 miles per gallon that will help relieve pain at the pump, cut pollution, and bring new vehicle technologies—and the jobs they create—to market.

[Joe Chasse]

PLEASE, Mr. LaHood, this is dead serious and we need serious commitment to electrics and other REAL alternatives (developed, developable, and not yet thought of). President Obama could use the infamous "presidential signing" or whatever it was that bush used so often to benefit the big oil companies and others.

[Emily Moore]

Thanks for advocating for electric and hybrid vehicles. I own a Toyota Prius, and I try to drive in such a way that I lower the amount of gasoline I consume. But I am constantly being passed by people in big cars roaring up the highway at the top of their capacity, oblivious to the environmental damage they're contributing to. It's human nature. They want to feel they're being efficient with their time. They want cheap gas, and they want enough of it.

That's why high vehicle standards are so important. People are not going to change a bad habit without a bit of force. Auto companies are not going to supply truly clean, efficient cars without some really good standards. Please support a clean car standard of 60 miles per gallon that will help relieve pain at the pump, cut pollution, and bring new vehicle technologies—and the jobs they create—to market. Thank you!

[Adria Sparhawk]

Please support a clean car standard of 60 miles per gallon! Now is the time for clear leadership and political will. Energy efficient vehicles will ultimately help relieve pain at the pump, cut pollution and bring jobs they create to market.