The Obama administration announced two efforts today to boost electric vehicles, including a partnership with search engine giant Google.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu said the department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory is joining with Google to provide consumers with consistent, up-to-date information about electric vehicle charging stations in communities nationwide.
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The effort will use Google Maps to coordinate an online network of all U.S. charging stations and will serve as the primary data source for GPS and mapping services tracking electric vehicle charging locations.
President Barack Obama has called for getting 1 million electric vehicles on the roads by 2015 and cutting oil imports by one-third by 2025.
Chu also today announced the agency is awarding $5 million in new funding for community-based efforts to deploy electric vehicle infrastructure and charging stations.
The effort "is bringing together local governments and industry to demonstrate the benefits of advanced technology vehicles and help communities use less oil and gasoline to power their vehicles," said Secretary Chu.
Under the $5 million in electric vehicle funding announced today, local governments and private companies will work together to apply for funding to help accelerate installation of electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure.
Communities will work to develop plans and strategies for electric vehicle deployment, update their EV permitting processes, develop incentive programs or launch other local or regional initiatives that improve the experience of electric vehicle users.
Transporation Secretary Ray LaHood said the government is working closely with automakers to improve fuel efficiency.
"We believe the carmakers have been good partners with us," LaHood said.
dshepardson@detnews.com
(202) 662-8735
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I know a place that does electric vehicle charging in Raleigh NC.
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