Hybrid Car Review

The Enhanced Energy Security Act of 2006, a bipartisan bill in the Senate is looking to reduce America's dependence on fossil fuels, especially oil. As part of that legislation, they are looking to increase spending on new technologies such as plug in hybrids.
U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

The Enhanced Energy Security Act of 2006, introduced today, will greatly spur energy conservation, with a focus on reducing oil demand through greater fuel efficiency and finding ways to moderate natural gas demand by promoting renewable electricity production. Among the most important provisions of the bill will be an emphasis on an expanded plan for economy-wide oil savings that will cut oil use, from projected levels, by 2.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2016, 7 million barrels of oil per day by 2026, and 10 million barrels of oil per day by 2031.

The legislation includes a variety of initiatives designed to reduce our nation’s nearly total reliance on petroleum products in the transportation sector, including programs that will:
· Speed the development of new vehicle technologies such as plug-in hybrids and the use of advanced light weight materials in vehicles;
· Expand the authority of the Secretary of Energy to provide loan guarantees and competitive grants to automakers and parts manufacturers to convert existing plants or to build new facilities for manufacturing fuel-efficient vehicles and vehicle components;
· Increase the availability of alternative fuels, such as E85, across the country by providing funding for alternative fueling stations;
· Provide funds to states for programs to encourage motorists to retire vehicles that are inefficient, and for programs to reduce school bus idling; and
· Provide incentives for the production of cellulosic ethanol.