Re: Easley calls for plug-in hybrid cars

liam — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:49:41 -0500

Are you serious? They're still letting Mike Easley test drive automobiles? Talk about a bad track record, Easley's a menace behind the wheel of anything more complicated than his pick-up truck.

Easley calls for plug-in hybrid cars

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:00:38 -0500

Gov. Mike Easley called today for energy independence.

At a speech at the Emerging Issues Forum, he said that OPEC and other oil-producing countries have the United States "by the tail."

"I'm tired of being wagged, and I think it's time we did something about it," he said.

He said tax credits for alternative energy and increased efficiency already in place are helping. But he also painted a picture of a future with plug-in hybrid cars powered by home electricity and grids across the state run by Duke Power and Progress Energy.

"It sounds like the Jetsons to you doesn't it?" he said. "Well, Israel is going to do this by 2011."

He said that battery-powered automobiles, such as one he recently test drove, would create American jobs and reduce spending sent to foreign countries that are sometimes hostile.

Easley then announced that the state would start an advanced transportation energy center at N.C. State University in partnership with Progress and Duke to build lighter, cheaper and more efficient batteries. He said General Motors may also join in the center.

He said that the power companies are also working to start the electric grid to power the cars.

"By the time the battery is ready, the grid will be in place," he said.

Easley on hybrids

newsobserver.com projects - Easley calls for plug-in hybrid cars - Comments

Re: Easley calls for plug-in hybrid cars

Easley calls for plug-in hybrid cars