Great Scott! Barack Wants 1 Million Plug-In Hybrids by 2015!
In a Lansing, Michigan speech yesterday presidential candidate Barack Obama laid out a number of energy policies for his first term in office, including a hope to have one million plug-in hybrid cars on U.S. roads by 2015. The Illinois senator said people who purchase such vehicles can expect up to $7000 in tax credit.
The plan seems ambitious, but given that fact that there is a growing need for alternative energies, and that one-million conventional Toyota Prius hybrids hit the road between 1999-2007 it seems realistic. Senator Obama also declared by 2012 he would require half of all government vehicles purchased be hybrid or all electric cars.
Additional investments will be pumped into research and development for the batteries of rechargeable vehicles. Advancement in these technologies are needed not just for consumer safety, but to also calm the nerves of hesitant auto makers who have yet to jump on the alternative energy team.
Barack to the Future? Gotta get Barack in time!