For Immediate Release
Date: March 16, 2017
Contact:
Sian Wu, 206-701-4734, sian@resource-media.org
Mary Kathryn Campbell, 323-920-5742, mkcampbell@pluginamerica.org
Trump Administration Backs Away from Clean Cars, New Technology and Fuel Savings
DETROIT — Today the Trump Administration took action to delay improvements in fuel efficiency standards for cars sold in the U.S. This could allow higher-polluting cars to remain on the roads for years and delay U.S. production of technologically advanced electric cars, even as this technology rapidly moves forward in Europe and Asia.
“This action just doesn’t make sense for anyone but oil companies,” stated Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America. “Fuel economy standards drive production of electric cars and it’s crystal clear that electric drive is the better way to move cars around. The cars are more powerful, quieter, cleaner, cheaper and easier to fuel and maintain. People used to worry about the batteries, but that problem is quickly disappearing. The automakers who are deploying this technology are the ones that will be around in ten years.”
“If President Trump wants to preserve American jobs, investing in this cutting edge technology is the place to do it. Because of their advanced technology, most electric cars sold in the U.S. are built in the U.S., in places like California, Michigan, Nevada and Tennessee. Let’s build on that lead.”
Surveys of consumers have found growing interest in purchasing electric cars. On average, fueling a car with electricity is roughly the same as gas at $1 per gallon, thanks to their performance efficiency and the lower cost of electricity. (Department of Energy) Cars powered by electricity from the local grid currently produce 54 percent less (lifetime) carbon pollution than gasoline cars, which could grow to 71 percent by 2050 as our power supply gets cleaner. (NRDC, 2015)
In recent months, sales have been growing rapidly. 2016 sales were up 37 percent over the previous year. Sales for 2017 to date have been up 62 percent over last year.
About Plug In America
Plug In America is the nation’s leading independent consumer voice for accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States. Formed as a non-profit in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information collected from our coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, through public outreach and education, policy work and a range of technical advisory services. Our expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience of driving and living with plug-in vehicles. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. We drive electric. You can too. www.pluginamerica.org
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