1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

GAO Report on Tax Payer Investment in Adv Batteries

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by wjtracy, Nov 13, 2012.

  1. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,337
    3,596
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Nothing too controversial here. GAO has apparently issued a report on tax payer investment in Advanced Batteries. Here is a summary by one observer. The cost appears to be in the Billion dollar range, which is not too ridiculus. This does not include tax credits to Plug_in buyers.

    Tax Payer Investment in Advanced Batteries | Alternative Energy Stocks
     
  2. chenyj

    chenyj Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    96
    115
    0
    Location:
    Troy, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I think the Federal government put the money in the wrong hands. If they put same amount to stimulate the demands, there will be a lot of EV and plug-in vehicles on the road today. 1.3 billion equals to 87,000 Chevy Volt with $15,000 cash rebate, or 100,000 Plug-in supply kits, or 325,000 Enginer Kits. And A123 will be very busy instead of going into bankruptcy. The demand drives the business. Building up supply alone won't work. It is economy 101.
     
  3. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2009
    13,600
    4,136
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    I don't really think higher plug-in subsidies are the answer, but a rebate cutting the cost at the dealership, instead of a tax credit in the future might help that program.

    The commercialization money seems to have been a waste as has most of the stimulus funds. A123 and ener1 hit bankruptcy. LG Chem is still shipping their batteries from korea.
     
  4. Electric Charge

    Electric Charge Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2012
    545
    133
    0
    Location:
    Syracuse, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    They also need to support charging stations. Without these, demand for plug-in vehicles will rise slowly in all states but CA.