Study: Federal Incentives Vital for Alt-Fuel Cars Future
Tim Esterdahl | May 31, 2012 | Comments 2
A recent study called the 2012 U.S. Automotive Industry Survey and Confidence Index by Booz & Co., has found that alternative fuel vehicles must have federal incentives if they are to have any future. Would you buy a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle without incentives?
Can alternative fuel vehicles survive without incentives?
A story on Autoblog.com, references a Wards Auto story that states future development is facing two big hurdles. First, local governments and transportation agencies have to incorporate more planning for plug-in Hybrids and electric vehicles. Second, government agencies have to see the cost of ownership come down and start adding them to their fleet. A lack of infrastructure and government sales, will be the end to some alternative vehicles.
The study goes on to say that 70 percent of those surveyed have a more positive view of the long-term hybrid demand then they did in 2011.
While the future of hybrids and electric vehicles is still in flux, it seems the federal government will be a key player in its development. The loss of incentives, new fees on electric vehicles and mandates on certain technologies not others (like Autogas), could mean consumers will be stuck with whatever technology makes it through.
Out of all the hybrid technologies out there which one looks most promising to you? Comment below.
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Filed Under: Auto News
Federal incentives, i.e more taxpayer money to private corporations. If alternative energy vehicles are going to have a true future then the designers and manufacturers need to complete to provide the best product at the best price for the consumer.
Articles like this only remind me of all the failures in the auto industry thanks to government involvement and hedging, example-the Volt.
But I’m just an old fashioned free-market capitalist, LOL.
KMS – Agreed. No subsidies or incentives. Unless someone is getting hurt, we need to let the market decide. Personally, I’d like to see a tariff on imported oil, but only because I value energy independence…but that’s neither an incentive or a regulation. That’s just telling people to stop burning gas we buy from Venezuela.