The Congress Needs To Redirect the Federal Electric Vehicle Program

The government is exploring the commercial potential of electric vehicles as one effort to reduce national oil consumption. Currently, transportation accounts for about half the oil consumed. Congress authorized $160 million for the program of research and development, vehicle demonstrations, and production incentives. Estimates of oil savings from electic vehicles range widely and depend on the number of vehicles ultimately in use. At the estimated level of commercialization, the Department of Transportation (DOT) believes 20,000 barrels of oil will be saved each day.