U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced two initiatives on Tuesday intended to popularize electric cars across the country.
Google and the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory will identify the EV charging stations stations, which will be displayed on Google Maps and global positioning systems.
The Energy Department also will also provide $5 million to local governments for improvements needed to establish the EV charging stations, which may be in parking lots or on a curbside.
“The Department of Energy’s Clean Cities initiative 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. “The initiatives announced today are just the latest steps in our broader efforts to reduce America’s dependence on oil, improve our energy security, and save families and businesses money.”
US President Obama aims to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015. The government has already pledged funding to support community EV infrastructure projects, offering up to US$10m for communities to invest in public charging stations, electrified parking space access and municipal fleet conversions.
