Senate approves $3.6 billion bill that will electrify half of U.S. vehicles by 2030

2011 Nissan LEAF

The Senate Energy Committee has given its approval to a $3.6 billion bill in order to promote the deployment of plug-in electric vehicles. The bills fate before the entire Senate is in question however, as Senate Democrats are debating whether to include EV funding in another energy bill they hope to get through before Congress recesses.

The Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2010 was introduced by U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and advocated the use of “˜deployment communities” to facilitate the accessibility of these vehicles. The goal is to put the United States on a path to electrify half the country’s cars and trucks by 2030, which would cut U.S. demand for oil by about one-third.

“Passing this legislation will strengthen our national security and improve the air we breathe, while relying on our abundant and diverse electricity supply to fuel our cars,” Dorgan said. “We are now one step closer to dramatically reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil that hurts our economy, helps our enemies and puts our security at risk. Domestic petroleum will always be an important part of our country’s energy strategy, but we also must invest in alternative energy approaches including electric cars.”

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News