"For every automaker who can sell a zero-emissions car, we will commit a $5,000 tax credit for each and every customer who buys that car," he will say.

"For other vehicles, whatever type they may be, the lower the carbon emissions, the higher the tax credit."

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN2242166620080623 (http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN2242166620080623)

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I think he is missing the mark, on the tax credits. The plug-in hybrid should be the main focus, not all electric cars.

"For every automaker who can sell a zero-emissions car, we will commit a $5,000 tax credit for each and every customer who buys that car," he will say.

"For other vehicles, whatever type they may be, the lower the carbon emissions, the higher the tax credit."

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN2242166620080623 (http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN2242166620080623)

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I think he is missing the mark, on the tax credits. The plug-in hybrid should be the main focus, not all electric cars.


Probably because they want to push the hydrogen car. It makes too much sense to make the environment great for plug-in hybrids. Why if everyone bought a plug-in hybrid it would put a huge dent in oil imports. That would mess with the petrol dollar and who knows what that will do to our economy. Better to push a technology that is not quite as ready. Are people starting to see what's going on here? Hello McFly.

Here is a list of things you should hear but probably never will:

1) We have decided to drastically cut oil imports by going on a massive campaign to convert our passenger fleets to plug-in hybrids and BEVs as fast as possible. We will also embark on a massive plan to convert homes and business away from using oil for heating.

2) Today we embark on a massive project to draw up a national energy plan. The best minds in the world will be brought together to give us the best plan for moving forward.

3) We are embarking on a massive project to create a national smart grid.

4) We realize that first generation biofuels that use arable land was a bad idea and will transition to second generation biofuels as fast as possible. Massive efforts will be taken. Live and learn.

5) We cannot drill our way out of our energy problem. At best it will be a slight reprieve that will begin five years after we get going and will last for around 10 years if we are lucky. We will call it the mid-term plan.

6) We have decided not to focus all of our efforts on drilling and nuclear. We have decided to focus a good proportion of our efforts on renewable and sustainable technologies. The use of our fossil fuels is necessary to smooth out the transition. We will follow the energy plan that was drawn up.

We have decided to drastically cut oil imports by going on a massive campaign to convert our passenger fleets to plug-in hybrids and BEVs as fast as possible.
I actually did hear exactly this at the Northwest Public Power Associations annual meeting In Anchorage in May. A mid-level spokesman for the State of Washington said just that. That the State wants to electrify it's transportation fleet and do it sooner rather than later.

The UPS, Fedex and USPS end point distribution fleet should all be converted to electric.

The USPS alone spends at least $1 B/year on fuel. A 1 cent hike in gasoline price equals $2.5M increase in fuel cost.

Yes, you are both right. However, talk is cheap and solutions are plenty. What are we as a nation doing in the face of this obvious crisis? Nothing. Nothing at all. No efforts towards working on a real plan. Just political talk. After all, it's a presidential election year!