Brian Wynne

When electric vehicles (EVs) were introduced in the U.S. market two years ago, they arrived with great promise – and even greater expectations -- into a market struggling to recover from a massive economic downturn. Although the pace of adoption has not met some eager projections, 2012 has seen a 180 percent jump in EV sales over the first year’s sales. Innovative technologies always confront challenges on the path to mainstream adoption, and this industry is no exception. An electrified U.S. fleet won’t happen in one year, or two. But it is happening. Industry leaders are committed to electrification and business forecasters see significant near and long-term growth in the EV, infrastructure and component markets. And perhaps most telling is that surveys show that the more than 50,000 current EV drivers are extremely satisfied with their purchases.

Looking at the

It is no secret that America is addicted to expensive foreign oil. The Congressional Research Service recently estimated that U.S. imported petroleum costs could rise by about $30 billion in 2012 to reach $451 billion. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory calculated that oil dependence cost the U.S. economy about $500 billion in 2008 and 2011 and $2 trillion from 2007 to 2011.

This ongoing habitcontinues to threaten our national security and stunt economic growth. So what is the solution? It is important to keep in mind that energy independence does not necessarily mean not using ANY foreign oil sources; it means that we must diversify our transportation fuel options so that no one commodity can decide the direction of U.S. foreign policy or the American economy. The U.S. needs to develop a portfolio of approaches that takes into account the number of domestically-produced energy sources that are currently available and can be alternatives to

As Congress looks to reform tax policy, they should also recognize the value of targeted, time-limited and performance-based incentives in speeding innovation that serves our national interest.

A most- glaring need for innovation is our dependence on imported oil. According to a Wall Street Journal piece published on June 27, the Brookings Institute reports that the U.S. spends $50 billion a year protecting oil shipments. Although foreign oil purchases are expected to decline in the coming years, U.S. government forecasters still predict the U.S. will purchase about 2.5 million barrels of petroleum a day by 2020 from the Middle East, Africa and Europe and 860,000 barrels a day from the Persian Gulf. With more than 20 plug-in light duty vehicle models coming to the U.S. market by the end of 2012, there is a real opportunity to break the stranglehold of oil on transportation and

Gas prices are again approaching $4 a gallon, and Congress is taking another look at the energy policies that will move us beyond dependence on foreign oil and volatile global oil prices. The answer is a continuing commitment to innovation policies that will give us energy choices and energy security.

Integral to that effort is a comprehensive national policy promoting displacing oil with abundant, affordable U.S. electricity. According to the International Energy Agency, the U.S. currently imports nearly 50 percent of its oil supply and spent more than $450 billion on those imports in 2011. In addition, it is estimated that, as of Dec. 2011, the U.S. consumes about 7.5 billion barrels of crude oil a year, and every $10 a barrel increase costs the economy about $75 billion.

In addition to federal support for research accelerating technology development, U.S. policy should also promote private investment in electric drive vehicles and infrastructure

The rising national debt is a critical issue that must be addressed holistically, but not at the expense of pursuing solutions to the universally acknowledged problem of dependence on foreign oil. Congress should invest in a portfolio of energy innovation policies, including tax incentives for consumers and investors, as well as public/private research and development efforts that will accelerate the electrification of transportation and help the nation establish a secure and sustainable energy future.

When calculating the price of tax incentives, Congress needs to consider the cost of our dependence on foreign oil. According to the International Energy Agency, in 2010 the U.S. spent $300 billion or 2.1 percent of its GDP, on net imports of oil and is expected to spend close to $400 billion this year. In addition, the U.S. consumes about 7.5 billion barrels of crude oil a year; every $10 a barrel increase costs the economy about $75 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In addition to advancing technology solutions to a national problem, tax incen

Policies to advance energy innovation can play a critical role in jump-starting the economy. In particular,the electric drive industry can provide a variety of economic benefits, not only in expanding clean energy jobs and domestic manufacturing, but also growing U.S. competiveness in globally-sought products and technology.

The electric drive industry is already helping to generate more jobs. For example, according to the 2011 Brookings Report, “Sizing the Green Economy,” the electric drive industry employed nearly 16,000 workers in 2010, and that number has been projected to grow exponentially as significant transitions from electric drive transportation occur.

Specific examples include EnerDel, which added 1,400 jobs at its Indiana- based EV lithium-ion battery plant and plans to add another 3,000 to meet growing demand. California-based charging station manufacturer

Thank you, Governor Granholm, for sparking a lively discussion about electric drive vehicles. Your latest questions focus on what is “realistic” in terms of deployment, battery costs and charging infrastructure. Nearly every day, we hear about new vehicle developments, improvements in battery technology, research projections for industry growth (note the Accenture report released this week) and charging infrastructure. Just today there is an interesting feature in USA Today that examines the outlook for EVs. What this all highlights is that there is a trifecta of industry, policy and public drivers working to accelerate the deployment of electric drive vehicles and infrastructure across America.

All the major vehicle manufacturers, and many innovative new companies, have launched - or plan to launch - plug-in electric vehicles. Technology impro

Fluctuating gas prices that leave consumers facing tough spending choices have become as symbolic of spring and summer as cookouts and baseball.

With gas prices hovering at $4 per gallon, consumers are feeling the pinch at the pump and looking for options to use less gas. And the pain of high gas prices spreads throughout the economy. It is estimated that a $1.00 increase in the cost of a gallon of gas leads to a 10 percent reduction in discretionary spending.

Electric drive vehicles are on the road today and offer consumers a way to reduce fueling costs, dependence on foreign oil and emissions that threaten our health and environment. Electric drive vehicles can be battery electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid or fuel cell. They all displace oil with electricity. Some generate this electricity though on-board power, like a hybrid. Others are powered by the grid like a battery electric vehicle.

Hybrid vehicles are widely available, efficient and cost -effective alternatives to gas powered vehicles. Nine of the top ten vehicles in the

The President’s Energy Blueprint recognizes the benefits of accelerating the deployment of electric drive vehicles in reducing our dependence on foreign oil, reducing emissions and boosting economic growth. With gas prices getting close to record highs, we again are reminded how the cost ripples through the economy, hurting consumers, businesses and contributing to higher trade deficits.

If we are to meet the President’s goal of one million electric vehicles by 2015 and reduce oil imports, we need to expand electrification through the transportation sector and grow the existing efforts of vehicle manufacturers, battery and charging infrastructure providers, utilities and policymakers in a concerted way. We have made great progress as an industry and key policy support has reinforced our successes in get

Where does the rising cost of oil affect your spending the most? At the grocery store? When shipping a package? When buying new clothes? The impact on U.S. consumers of potential oil supply disruption in the Middle East extends well beyond what drivers pay at the pump.

Critics of spending taxpayer dollars on the advancement of electric drive transportation and infrastructure should consider the immediate and far-reaching consequences of continuing U.S. dependence on foreign oil. According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, every $10 increase in the price of a barrel of oil cost the U.S. economy about $75 billion in economic growth annually. The Los Angeles Times recently reported that by some estimates every penny increase at the pump removes $1.5 billion from household spending nationwide. With limited alternatives, consumers and the nation have no cho

Where does the rising cost of oil affect your spending the most? At the grocery store? When shipping a package? When buying new clothes? The impact on U.S. consumers of potential oil supply disruption in the Middle East extends well beyond what drivers pay at the pump.

Critics of spending taxpayer dollars on the advancement of electric drive transportation and infrastructure should consider the immediate and far-reaching consequences of continuing U.S. dependence on foreign oil. According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, every $10 increase in the price of a barrel of oil cost the U.S. economy about $75 billion in economic growth annually. The Los Angeles Times recently reported that by some estimates every penny increase at the pump removes $1.5 billion from household spending nationwide. With limited alternatives, consumers and the nation have no cho