Senate Committee Approves EV Jump Start

Following several weeks of debate over the US' plan to boost the development and sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles, a Senate committee approved today a $25-billion loan program for fuel-efficient vehicles, as well as a series of measures meant to hurry the adoption of such vehicles.

Known as the Dorgan bill or the Electric Vehicle Deployment Act of 2010 , the legislation would require the Department of Energy (DoE) to devise strategies for mass adoption of plug-in hybrids. One of its most exciting provisions is the establishment of a so called “Advanced Batteries for Tomorrow Prize,” a $10 million grant for the first man or company to develop a battery which would allow for a range of 500 miles (804 km).

For the first time, a bill calls for grants to be given to communities as well towards promoting green motoring. Cities, who will create so called "deployment communities," can apply for a $250 million grant in exchange for helping roll out at least 400,000 plug-in vehicles. The goal is to make at least half of the US vehicles EVS or PHEVs by 2030.

“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," Sen. Byron Dorgan, one of the creators of the legislation was quoted as saying by DetNews.

"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.”