EV GETS BOOST FROM VEEP

Biden unveils plug-in vehicle initiatives
Brent Snavely, January 26, 2011 (Detroit Free-Press)

"U.S. Vice President Joe Biden…announced a $118.5-million grant from the Department of Energy for [battery company Ener1 to produce advanced lithium-ion battery systems for electric vehicles, grid energy storage and industrial electronics].…as well as several new proposals to spur the development of electric vehicles nationwide…

"…[O]n the heels of U.S. President Barack Obama’s renewed commitment made…[in the] State of the Union Address to put more than 1 million plug-in cars on the road in America by 2015…Biden said…the president’s budget will include proposals to…[1] Make electric vehicles more affordable with rebates up to $7,500…[to] replace the existing $7,500 tax credits that are available for plug-in and electric cars…[They are expected to] be more effective because consumers would get the money when they buy the car…"

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"…[2] Enhanced research and development investments for electric drive, batteries, and energy storage technologies…[3] A new initiative that will provide grants to up to 30 communities that have made the deployment of advanced vehicle infrastructure…

"…[4] Increase investments in research and toward research initiatives for batteries that will go 300 miles on a single charge…[5] Expand a Department of Energy program that helps communities become early adopters of electric vehicles through regulatory streamlining, infrastructure investments and vehicle fleet conversions…"