Is it realistic for the US to meet President Obama’s target of placing one million plug-in electric vehicles on the road by 2015? According to the US Department of Energy, the goal is in sight.
In its report entitled One Million Electric Vehicles by 2015, it outlines that the goal is ambitious but also achievable based on the steps already taken as part of the Recovery Act and the proposed additional policy initiatives such as improving existing consumer tax credits, strong support for research and development and programmes to help cities prepare for increased demand for electric vehicles.
The report outlines that conventional hybrid electric vehicles have been on sale in the US for more than 10 years and in 2010 new vehicle hybrid sales were approximately 2.5 per cent. To reach the one million vehicle target, plug-in electric vehicles will need to average just under 1.7 per cent of sales through 2015.
Production capacity should be sufficient to achieve the target with auto manufacturers including Chrysler, BYD, Coda, Honda, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Volvo, Volkswagen and Hyundai all having announced or expected to introduce electric vehicles over the time period.
However, the main stumbling block to achieving the goal is to further drive innovation, reduce costs and spur consumer demand. Currently the strategy from the Obama administration includes making electric vehicles more affordable with a rebate up to $7,500; advancing innovative technologies through new research and development investments; and rewarding communities that invest in electric vehicle infrastructure.
