Feb
08

EVs on the Runway

By | The Hill

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On Feb 6th the Senate agreed to a conference report on H.R.658, titled the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act. While most of this bill deals directly with aircraft and airports, there is a section that may be of interest to the automotive industry. (Why else would I be writing about it?)

Section 511, titled Pilot Programs for Zero-Emission Airport Vehicles authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to use funds under Title 49, Chapter 471, (Subchapter I: Airport Improvement) to establish a pilot program to, “carry out activities associated with [Read more...]

Jan
03

Bill to Repeal the EV Tax Credit

By | The Hill

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It was only a matter of time before a member of Congress introduced a bill to repeal the $7,500 tax credit for electric plug-in vehicles (EV). It comes as no surprise that Representative Kelly (R-PA) be the one to drop such a bill.

Over the last year Rep Kelly has expressed his displeasure with the Chevrolet Volt calling it a car for the super wealthy. Here is a clip of Rep. Kelly talking about the Chevrolet Volt:

The bill was introduced on December 30, 2011 while members were out for the holidays and the House stood in a pro forma session. And while there are no reported cosponsors to date, that may change once [Read more...]

Jul
08

Uncle Sam’s EV Soundtrack

By | Industry, The Hill

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As you may have heard the federal government is getting serious about protecting blind people from eco-friendly cars. Today I had a chance to read over the pre-published Federal Register for next week. Listed as Docket No. NHTSA-2011-0100 was the “Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010”. I would like to note that DOT refers to the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act as PEDSAFE. This sounds like something that would belong in a playground protecting children.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration [Read more...]