A coalition of business interests yesterday called for the creation of two new government groups to facilitate efforts to get one million plug-in cars on the road by 2015. In a letter to president Barack Obama, the Electric Drive Transportation Association, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, and two other trade groups praised the White House for its efforts to promote EVs but said that "the critical, immediate next step for the Administration is to provide the necessary coordination of the growing federal, regional and private efforts."
The National Electric Fuel Task Force would "provide a forum for public and private sector coordination, address challenges for large scale deployment of plug-in electric vehicles, and develop consumer awareness and education efforts." The task force would be joined by a new Interagency Electric Drive Working Group, whose role it would be to bring together the various government agencies that will be responsible for regulating and incentivizing deployment.
The proposal came just one day before of the Promoting Electric Vehicles Act—which would provide an additional $6 billion in credits and incentives for EVs—was voted out of committee in the Senate. Supporters of the legislation are optimistic that they have the necessary support to get PEVA to the President's desk, but if it becomes law, something resembling a task force would almost certainly need to be created for its implementation.
PEVA would establish a group of so-called "deployment communities," which would act as the early hot zones for plug-in adoption. But choosing which cities will be targeted for funding—and making sure that it's used wisely—is a task the legislation broadly passes to the desk of the Secretary of Energy. So if PEVA passes, expect to see some sort of new government panel, working group, task force or committee to arise soon after.
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It may be best to offer legislation that builds up strong demand through business coalitions instead of EV legislation that is geared towards public consumers. Instead of hot spots, offer low interest loans to companies like FedEx or UPS for changing out more of their fleets to plug-in vehicles. Also, loans could be set aside for taxi companies or other transporting businesses.
Zach, I am confused on exactly what the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers wants. I assume they are worried about any possible mandates or incentives that only benefits a few of their clients.
Any real energy legislation including petroleum and/or CO2 reduction is premature, speaking politically. Only a gas spike, major east coast blackout (outdated/overloaded energy grid) or an event caused in part by a weather related problem would get Congress to act in the short-term on comprehensive energy legislation. As the market matures including lobbying power around EVs, (ie shipping, battery, and electric utility industries) we will see a real push towards comprehensive energy legislation but until then not much will come out of any energy reform package.
One last thought, I am amazed at the politics of our country. Take corn ethanol, which is federally mandated, and by all accounts the private sector is staying away from investing in the ethanol industry. Yet some Democrats and Republicans refuse to stop using government incentives that so far has been ineffective in encouraging market development. Why any true conservative or budget hawk would vote for extending ethanol benefits is beyond me but it speaks to the political culture of vague and unrealistic promises that are often backed up by deceptive political ideologies, coming from both political parties.