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Green Car Journal's Ron Cogan on government funding for electric cars, and why he feels other energy technologies deserve an equal chance.
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Even though it's now out on the market Ron cogan says Washington is looking.
This financial resources behind electric vehicles and that is an error in judgment that could come back to bite us Ron is the editor and publisher of the Green car journal.
He joins us now from Los Angeles Ron and this is one of my favorite topics to talk about how much I guess how much does the government.
It in money.
They've our electric vehicles over our other technologies that are -- out there or whether it's a even natural gas or diesel.
Well you know we have pretty enormous stimulus funds have gone in that direction we have.
A 25 billion dollar advanced technology vehicle manufacturing fund.
So you know many many many billions of dollars.
And by the way I just wanted to add the Chevy volts 2011 Green curly -- so I don't have any issue we we really think it's a great car.
The issue becomes from Washington's focus sometimes and almost singular focus on electrification.
When other technology should be looked -- What -- why you think that there is that focus when.
You're seeing such and such advancements just end here in old internal combustion engine running in on old fashioned gas a laid.
In terms of the fuel efficiency.
But I you know I think some people are getting advice -- Washington that I maybe not coming from the right sources.
I recall when I'm not some advocates for electric vehicles went to Washington.
And did a dog and pony show some some major.
Congressman said this is the answer well clearly it's not the answer.
Because advanced batteries are still extraordinarily expensive -- -- technology.
That's going to unfold over years that's a great future technology.
And it's a technology that -- have in.
In small numbers and growing numbers as we go along but if the mission.
Is to make huge impacts now.
In an energy dependency on oil dependency.
Emissions reductions CO2 reduction there are other technologies and feels that need that we need to pay attention to.
As were on the road to electrification.
And really quickly Ron is there one that you would focus on that really would need taxpayer subsidies.
-- natural gas is a big deal we have a lot of natural gas in this country.
Vehicles can run seamlessly on natural gas companies are out there.
Making product that.
Is that pretty wonderful a natural gas I think we should be looking of that clean diesel is another one.
Because ultimately you can use biodiesel.
So I think electrification.
Augmented by near term.
Natural gas.
Biofuels clean diesel -- high efficiency gasoline vehicles that's the road.
Ron -- and thank you so much of the Green car journal Ron terrific talk to you thanks for taking the time.
