Bill Clinton suggests "Cash for EVs" (w/POLL)
By most measures, the U.S. Cash for Clunkers program has turned into a rousing success story for consumers that happen to qualify for the government's somewhat arbitrary rules as well as dealers and automakers looking to sell a few more cars. What's still debatable, though, is how much environmental benefit will really be seen on account of the program.
Speaking at the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas earlier this week, Bill Clinton had a novel suggestion that might help clear up some of the negative stigma associated with the Cash for Clunkers legislation heard among various green crowds: how 'bout a Cash for EVs program?
According to Clinton, Cash for Clunkers "proves that Americans will bite if you make it economical enough." That being the case, a federal stimulus could be doled out to new car purchasers who are trading fossil fuel-powered cars and trucks in exchange for new electric models. Would it work? Click past the break to take part in our poll.
[Source: Earth 2 Tech]
Photo by sskennel. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
meme 7:19PM (8/11/2009)
We do have that -- up to $7,500. Although the way the law is written, it stupidly doesn't apply to vehicles like the Aptera 2e.
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wincros 7:30PM (8/11/2009)
This one almost makes me want to scream. There is no EV to buy except for one of those golf cart thingies or a rich man's sports toy. Neither one is deserving of a subsidy. Could we just deal with reality for a while instead of mooning about EVs that don't exist yet?
The Cash for Clunkers program is good in so many ways it is astounding that people keep taking potshots at it.
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Mark Kiernan 7:31PM (8/11/2009)
Ah Bill to us Irish you will always be Prez ;-)
Meme why does the Aptera not apply, because it won't be available nationwide or because it is a 3 wheeler?
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lne937s 8:44PM (8/11/2009)
The Aptera doesn't apply because it is technically a motorcycle under federal regulations. It is the same reason that the vehicle does not have to pass federal crash tests, emissions tests, or other safety standards and regulations applied to cars...
contact 10:50PM (8/11/2009)
I think the $7500 incentive is a good idea but like was previously mentioned there are NO vehicles on the road to buy but the Prius and Insight and I don't want either of those.
I hope the gov't ups the discount to $10k in time for the leaf to be released and the Aptera to be sold nationwide. I want an Aptera SO bad but I'll buy whatever is offered to me first.
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Bob 11:09PM (8/11/2009)
The Current electric car in Colorado qualifies...right now. They have dealers in a number of cities. Check out their web site at coloradoautoconnection.com.
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Dave B 11:29PM (8/11/2009)
OK.
So maybe this isn't the best place to have such a poll.
I think we're all a little biased. :-)
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Hans Waarle 1:04AM (8/12/2009)
CFC is popular, because it brings cash directly to the end-consumer. $700BN for the finance industry, tens of billions to Detroit: people get the feeling these're strange times anyhow, better benefit where I can. But whether opportunism is the right recipe to save the world: allow me to hesitate. It's burning fast, that's for sure, but won't keep you warm for long.
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cWj 1:17AM (8/12/2009)
Given that single single person, 2/3-wheeled vehicles are more viable as pure-electrics just yet, it's a shame there's no federal tax incentive for them.
Anybody know any local ones?
Wait....I could've sworn there was $1,000 incentive that pulled the $9-$10K Vectrix to $8-$9K??
My 2000 Tacoma Ext. Cab v6 is exactly 1 year too young to qualify for C.A.R.S.
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jonwil2002 7:16AM (8/12/2009)
What they should do is tell the auto industry that any automaker with a car available that you can walk into a showroom and buy by the end of the 2010 calender year meeting the following specs will get money from the government. That would encourage all those automakers to accelerate electric car development.
Specs the car needs to meet:
1.Must be made and assembled in an American factory including the production of the body panels (I am sure there are already specs in place for what counts as an "American built" car)
2.Must be highway capable (eliminates the golf cart things, the 3-wheelers that count as motorbikes etc)
3.Must cost less than (prevents really expensive stuff like the Telsa Roadster from counting)
4.Must get at least on a fully charged set of batteries (both pure electrics and electrics with some form of backup would count for this proposal)
5.Limits to form factor (so that they can get away with producing vehicles that are totally impractical for normal people)
6.Must be available to purchase from a dealer by the end of the 2010 calender year (PURCHASE not lease like the EV1)
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rcappo 9:28AM (8/12/2009)
Sounds good. The only thing I would add would be that you should get more money off if it is has better aerodynamics and lighter-weight. But, still will have to pass all of the same safety tests that normal cars need to.
Tim 9:18AM (8/12/2009)
Why am I being forced to help by a luxury item for someone else? Someone I'll never know and a luxury that I can't even afford for myself. How is this fair?
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paulwesterberg 11:14AM (8/12/2009)
Part of the program should be designed to bring rich white collar people together with poorer blue collar workers like big brothers big sisters. They could host a party for a bunch of lower middle class people, have a beer together and swim in the pool. They might even let you take their new fancy car out for a test drive. We could call the program "Rich Uncles".
Btw the bush tax cuts for the wealthy did exactly what you rail against now. The only difference was that they could buy a hummer with their extra cash if they wanted.
I think public money would be better spent on electrified fast rail between cities and electrified trams or light trains within cities to improve public transit options which would benefit more people, do more to improve air quality and provide cheap efficient mobility for those that are least able to afford it.
Tim 11:19AM (8/12/2009)
It was wrong when Bush did it.
It is right when Obama does it?
Byron Thomas 4:01PM (8/12/2009)
Fast track solution, starting "tomorrow"...a $1gal tax on gas and energy. Just get 20% of the current cars and drivers off the road. And save billion$ on road repairs at the same time. Save Billion$ in waisted commute time, (use your laptop on the bus or train), Save Billion$ in obesty related health care costs....and USE THE $500 BILLION tax revenue to pay for: Green jobs, Basic Health Care, hybrid buses to be built by GM and Chrysler (since they are for the "gov't" now WTO hassles), year round schools, vouchers,college, research, alterntive energy....and it still leaves $1000 rebate for taxpayers (which is also an indirect income tax on illegal workers and under the table income) etc.
Then, a $17,000 Zenn might make sense. Even a 35mph fancy golf-cart would be great "second car" for local errands when you don't need your big SUV for the whole family or carpool.
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John Rowell 1:16AM (8/13/2009)
I like the idea.
Low MPG clunker => High MPG new car :: good idea
Gas-powered car => Electric powered car :: GREAT idea!
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