A Bill That Pays Economic, Environmental, Strategic Profits

Yesterday I introduced legislation called the “Plug-In Hybrid Electrical Vehicle Act of 2006.” The bill encourages government and private industry to work together to develop new technologies that will make plug-in hybrids more cost effective. Through research and development grants, scientists will focus on producing cars made of light-weight materials and longer-running batteries. The bill also establishes a pilot program that will award 25 grants to help local governments purchase fleets of plug-in vehicles. Plug-in hybrids save money, conserve energy, protect the environment and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. For economic, environmental and strategic reasons, it makes sense to encourage automakers to go beyond their already popular hybrid vehicles and to develop and produce plug-in electric hybrid vehicles.