Our VP comments on Obama's announced $2.4 Billion for Plug-Ins
"Today's announcement from the Obama administration shows a strong commitment to plug-in vehicle manufacturing and the breadth and depth of the Department of Energy's grants shows a deep understanding of the need to advance all sectors of manufacturing, education and jobs creation in this fast-growing field," says Plug In America co-founder and Vice President Paul Scott of Santa Monica. "It's a political breath of fresh air that will allow all of us to breathe truly fresh air as these clean-running plug-in vehicles replace polluting internal-combustion vehicles. (Read More)
Plug In America is calling on our supporters to urge Toyota to quit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is obstructing efforts to combat climate change. We are working with MoveOn.org in this campaign to counter forces which will delay plug-in vehicles and works against renewable energy. Join us by taking immediate action and help ensure make clean cars a reality!
Media Coverage of the Campaign:
Obama Admin Issues 'Down Payment' on EVs, Batteries
The New York Times covers the awarding of grants under the Recovery Act Electric Drive Initiative.
The article ends with a bit of Plug In America history
"Though the grant pales in comparison to many other federal programs, it's a vindication for the enthusiasts who have long trumpeted the value of electric cars."
Read more, including a statement by Plug In America Vice President Paul Scott.
See Obama's speech on MSN.com
Recap: 2009 Fundraiser
From EVs and Energy
Plug In America held its second annual fundraiser August 9th at the Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside, CA. Last year's party was held at the home of Director Chris Paine and was a big success. This year's party matched that one in terms of excitement and surpassed it with an abundance of high-end EVs and plug-in hybrids. Read more on Paul Scott's blog, EVs and Energy.
Click here to see more photos from the party.
Plug In America Tracks New Vehicle Progress
Virtually every major auto manufacturer in the world, along with several smaller outfits, is developing a plug-in vehicle and Plug In America is tracking their progress. Our Plug-in Vehicle Tracker will be updated monthly. It represents highway-capable cars and trucks, 2- and 3-wheeled and commercial vehicles. Low-speed electric vehicles and conversions are not included.
For a list of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, visit www.eaaev.org/eaalinks.html#NEVs.
National Geographic Points Out Plug In America's Tracker
Tell CARB to Close the Loophole
Join Plug In America in urging Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the CARB Board, and members of the California State Legislature to close a gaping loophole that could deal a blow to the proliferation of plug-in vehicles just as the federal government is awarding billions of dollars to automakers to advance battery technology. CARB's Zero Emission Vehicle program has no minimum timeframe for vehicles used for compliance. Thus, BMW's one-year pilot program consisting of just 500 converted electric Mini Coopers leased at an astonishing $850 per month will earn the same full credit as a real vehicle production program. We're asking you to tell Ms. Nichols that CARB must close this loophole so that only vehicles offered for sale receive full ZEV program credit. (read the press release)
Visit this page to take action: www.pluginamerica.org/closecarbloophole
Plug In America Awards Grants to Support Formula Hybrid
Plug In America has awarded grants of $15,000 each to student teams at Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UC Irvine and UC San Diego to design, build and race plug-in hybrid cars in the 2009 Formula Hybrid International Competition. The grants, intended to encourage engineering innovation at California colleges and universities, were funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
"We are proud to make these grants to outstanding student teams at Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UC Irvine, and UCSD," said Jay Friedland, Legislative Director of Plug In America. "We were particularly impressed with the rigor and ingenuity of this year's projects and gratified to see the growing interest in electricity use for transportation."
Formula Hybrid 2009: May 4-6 in Loudon, NH, at the New Hampshire International Speedway. Read the full press release. Learn more about Formula Hybrid Competition.
Plug In America Challenges Obama Auto Task Force Conclusion on GM Volt
In response to an Obama Administration auto task force report, Plug In America has proposed a plan to make GM's Chevy Volt and other plug-in cars more affordable, noting that most advanced new technologies are initially more costly.
Read the press release.
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Plug In America Wins on Federal Plug-in Tax Credits!
How did Plug-ins Fare?
Plug In America supporters sent their representatives over 60,000 messages supporting plug-ins in the stimulus! You made a tremendous difference and we thank you! The stimulus passed with billions to be invested in EVs and plug-ins. Read press release.
$2 billion in Grants for advanced battery manufacturing, (H.R.1, pg. 24; originally authorized but not funded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, EISA-Section 135)
$2 billion Plug-in Vehicle Tax Credit (Section 1141 of H.R.1)
$1.7 billion Manufacturing tax credit for advanced energy investments up to 30%, including plug-in vehicle manufacture. (H.R.1-Sec 48C)
$54 million for tax credits on Alternative Refueling Property (including EV/PHEV charging). They raised the limit from 30% and $30,000 to 50% and $50,000, until 1/1/2011. They also increased the residential refueling property tax credit to 50% of up to $2000 (This is a TARP modification). (H.R.1- Sec 1123)
$400 million for deployment of plug-in infrastructure and vehicles. (EISA Sec 543B, H.R.1-pg.24).
$300 million for the federal purchase of commercially available high-efficiency vehicles (including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles) to remain available until September 30, 2011. (H.R.1-pg. 36)
$300 million to regional deployment of electric drive and alternative fuel vehicles (CleanCities grant support via DOE funding).
$10 million additional for administration of Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturer Loan Program (EISA-2007, H.R.1-Title 17, pg. 26)
$6 billion additional to Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee program which could go to plug-ins. (authorized under Energy Policy Act of 2005). This program provides loan funding to help automakers retool to make much more fuel efficient vehicles like EVs and PHEVs. (H.R.1-pg. 26)
$1.7 billion - The new automobile purchase sales tax credit will also apply to plug-ins. The bill provides all taxpayers with a deduction for State and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase of new cars, light truck, recreational vehicles, and motorcycles through 2009. This deduction is subject to a phase-out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of $125,000 ($250,000 in the case of a joint return). (HR1-Section 1008)
Permanent link to Federal Plug-in Incentives summary
What People Are Saying About Plug-In's
GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz "what started out as a fuel cell project is now an electric vehicle project." (AutoWeek November 2006)
GM CEO Rick Wagoner his worst decision was "Axing the EV1 electric-car program and not putting the right resources into hybrids." (Motor Trend, June 2006)
Former CIA Director, James Woolsey "A plug-in hybrid is an electric car with an insurance policy - a gas engine." Read more
Facts About Plug-in Vehicles
Read more FAQ
Today's batteries can take EVs 300 miles on a single charge.
Battery Electric Vehicles (EVs) are by far the most efficient motorized vehicles in the world and use 3-4 times LESS energy than hydrogen fuel cell cars.
Enough excess generating capacity exists at night in the U.S. to charge 180 million EVs without adding any new capacity (no new coal or nuclear power plants). Source US. Department of Energy.
We will never fight a war over electricity.
EVs powered by the US electrical grid are cleaner than gas, E85, biodiesel & fuel cells.
Half of EV owners surveyed use solar energy to power their houses and cars.
EVs by the millions could be built today.
Plug-in cars capable of 50 miles per day would meet the needs of 80% of the American driving public. Source: U.S. Department of Transportation.
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