WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced a new proposal to spur development and deployment of alternative fuel vehicles, including electric vehicles. The initiative mirrors many elements of Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley’s Promoting Electric Vehicles Act, introduced last year with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), along with Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Susan Collins (R-ME).
“Every day, I hear from Oregonians who are being hit hard by high gas prices. We need to do much more to reduce our dependence on this volatile fuel source, much of which comes from nations that do not have our best interests at heart. Electric and alternative fuel vehicles can reduce our addiction to foreign oil, while creating jobs here at home and reducing harmful pollution in our communities. I am proud that President Obama is seeking to build off the bill Senator Alexander and I introduced and look forward to working with the Administration to advance this initiative,” said Merkley.
Like the Promoting Electric Vehicles Act, the President’s proposal would make large investments in “deployment communities” to serve as pilots for jump-starting the utilization of electric and other alternative fuel vehicles. The president’s proposal also establishes a new competitive grant to encourage technological breakthroughs in EV research – another element of the Merkley-Alexander bill.
Finally, it would provide tax credits for the purchase of alternative fuel cars and trucks.
These proposals would provide a major boost to alternative fuel vehicles.
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