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New Post has been published on http://scitechnews.co.uk/ev-hybrid/obamas-2011-state-of-the-union-address-1-million-plug-in-car-for-2015-on-american-roads-now-not-likely/
Obama's 2011 State of the Union Address, 1 Million Plug-in Car for 2015 on American Roads. Now Not Likely!
President Obama inspects the 2011 Chevrolet Volt
President Obama in his 2011 State of the union address set a goal of 1 million plug-in car on U.S. road by the end of 2015. This is not likely to happen!
We have learned that Earnest Moniz, the U.S. Energy Secretary has said, “Not Quite” Most analysts agree that the afore mentioned goal will not happen in 2015, with it more likely to be in 2018!
Sales are up for both the battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, sales increased in 2014 by 20%. Currently sales stand at 119,000 for hybrid and electric cars, but when you consider that 16.4 million new cars were sold last year! 2014 was the best year so far to sell an electric or hybrid vehicle. To date in the U.S. only 280,000 have been sold leaving a rather large gap for the Obama statement to become a fact. In reality the gap between 280,000 and 1 million electric cars is going to large a gap to fill before the end of this year (2015)! Isn’t it?
The momentum is on the side of Obama and the electric car manufactures.
The Department of Energy will be awarding $56 Million in new grants for research projects, their aim is to lower the cost of manufacturing so that the cars become a more financially viable option for the general public.
At this time they are looking to award up to $12 Billion in low interest loans from the Advanced Technology Manufacturing (ATVM) programme. In the past loans have been awarded to:
Ford – Production of the Eco Boost engines
Fisker Automotive (now defunct)
Obama will leave a legacy though, this will be through his stricter fuel-efficiency requirements for vehicles in 2017 through to 2025. This is going to provide the incentive that car manufactures need to continue in their pursuit for a good cost affective electric car. We can but hope!
The only other point, for this to work is the infrastructure. This truly needs to be in a good position before the dream of electric vehicles can truly be come a reality. All of the unknowns like the resale of electric cars and the cost to buy brand new ones needs to be realised before the average Joe will be happy to commit. Until then drivers will remain in either the combustion engine or hopefully a hybrid vehicle!