Statement of Environment Texas Director Luke Metzger on Gov. Perry’s State of the State Address

“We’re pleased that Gov. Perry has called for a $5000 incentive for the purchase of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Plug-in hybrids will help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, save consumers money and reduce global warming pollution. Combined with a potential federal incentive, the state funding will help get Texans behind the wheel of these state-of-the-art, ultra-clean vehicles.   

We were, however, discouraged to hear the Governor’s obstructionist rhetoric and condemnation of the EPA. After 8 years of lax enforcement of environmental laws by the state and federal government, we are excited that we once again have an EPA that promises to put public health before the interest of polluters.”

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Background on Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Because electric motors are far more efficient than internal combustion engines, vehicles that use electricity almost always produce less global warming pollution than gasoline vehicles, even when the electricity used to fuel them is generated from coal. The benefits are even greater when vehicles are fueled with renewably generated electricity.

Charging an electric vehicle or plug-in electric vehicle and operating it in all-electric mode would cost consumers 3 cents per mile, assuming a vehicle efficiency of 3 miles per kilowatt-hour. This is a lower cost per mile than a gasoline or hybrid-electric vehicle (more than 6 cents per mile if gasoline costs $3 per gallon). 

Widespread use of electric vehicles offers new flexibility for the operation of the electricity system. Electric vehicles could be charged at night, when generating capacity is abundant and prices are lower. During the day, when vehicles are parked, 

the electricity stored in their batteries could be fed back into the power grid, thereby reducing the need for other sources of electricity to meet peak demand. Such an approach could reduce electricity costs by limiting the need to build new plants for times of high demand. 

The Chevy Volt from GM is expected to be available in late 2010 costing between $35,000 and $40,000, with a range of 40 miles(electric battery) plus a back up gas engine. The car can manage the average daily commute Americans make without using any of its gasoline. (avg commute is approximately 33 miles/day [to and from work])

According to the Wall Street Journal, “the proposed incentive would equal the amount offered by Oregon and be nearly twice as large as what California and Florida offer, says Jay Friedland, legislative director of Plug in America, a non-profit, pro-electric vehicle advocacy group. About a half dozen states currently offer a credit for buying a plug-in car”.