Option #19: Subsidize Hybred Cars to shift Auto Market

by James C Parkinson - Siloam Springs, AR

Pulling away from the pump and plugging into our nation's extensive electric infrastructure would mean that Americans could immediately make the switch to cheaper, cleaner, domestic energy sources to power cars, trucks and SUVs. The cost of plugging in to the grid and charging up at home is the equivalent of pennies per gallon on the average electric bill as compared to $3.00-plus a gallon at the pump today. The widespread use of renewable energy like solar and wind power is on the rise across America and offers drivers the opportunity to plug-in to
fossil-fuel free energy. With a plug-in hybrid, which uses a battery-powered electric motor for the first 30 to 50 miles, most American commuters would rarely if ever need to fill up or even top off with gasoline unless making a long trip. Since 50 percent of Americans do not drive more than 20 miles per day, the electric range of a plug-in
hybrid would power nearly all of our daily driving. --DontCrush.com - The Campaign to Save Electric Cars

Take the 500 billion and offer $20,000 each to the first 25 million
willing U.S. electric car buyers, toward the purchase of a plug-in
hybrid. This would create an instant demand, and car companies would
have no excuses for not manufacturing this low emission, low operating
cost vehicle, which would greatly reduce our need for foreign oil;
perhaps producing more "shock and awe" among the oil-producing nations
than all our military efforts so far.

Since most recharging would be accomplished overnight (off-peak usage
time), it would not add to the heavy daytime demand on the power grid.

Returning service personnel should have priority in receiving the grants
toward purchase of plug-in hybrids, which, except for extended trips,
would require no gasoline.