Now that the President has been in office for 100 days, and has started to implement his policies, it’s time to look ahead. We know that President Obama has urged the American people to consider renewable energy sources- but how does our President plan to move Americans toward hybrid cars and alternative fuel sources for vehicles.
Even before President Obama was elected and the Democrats took control of the House and Senate, the move toward plug-in hybrid vehicles and green energy was a bi-partisan plan agreed upon by the majority of both parties. In October of 2008, the $700 million bailout plan passed the Senate, and included a tax credit for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. To further push hybrid power and to lead by example, President Obama is planning to convert the entire White House fleet of cars to plug-in hybrids.
President Obama has long been a proponent of plug-in hybrids. In 2007, the former Senator, along with his colleagues, introduced a bill which urged for the use and development of plug-in hybrid cars and other electric vehicles. Obama wants 1 million hybrid cars on the road by 2015, and has plans to increase the fuel economy of vehicles by 4 percent each year. He is also intends on increasing the tax credits issued to hybrid drivers and pushing domestic auto producers like Ford and GM to focus on hybrid energy. Eventually, our President would like hybrid vehicles to achieve 150 miles a gallon and wants to offer those Americans who purchase them a $7000 tax credit.
With the state of the economy, the emergence of a possible pandemic, and the threat of terrorism, renewable energy seems to have been pushed to the backburner. But, based on the eve of President Obama’s hundredth day in office on April 29, 2009, he made it clear that renewable energy is still of huge importance to him and this country:
” And so, you know, we've got to strike a balance. I don't want to be -- I'm not an auto engineer. I don't know how to create an affordable, well-designed plug-in hybrid. But I know that, if the Japanese can design an affordable, well-designed hybrid, then, doggone it, the American people should be able to do the same… I just want to help them get there.”
If you have recently purchased a hybrid car, you should take the necessary steps to properly insure it. WT Flynn is an independent insurance agency serving Massachusetts who would be happy to tell you about your options. You can visit our Virtual Insurance Office right now to learn more, or to get a free Massachusetts auto insurance quote.
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