Chu: U.S. must become leader in low-cost electrical vehicles

5:37 PM, June 21, 2012  |   By Alisa Priddle

Energy Secretary Steven Chu wants the U.S. to become a global leader of affordable electric vehicles, starting with a 5-passenger plug-in hybrid where the extra cost is paid back within five years.

The goal is to produce and sell unsubsidized plug-in electric vehicles within 10 years that are comparable in cost with conventional vehicles.

The “EV Everywhere Grand Challenge” was announced by President Barack Obama in March and the Department of Energy is holding a series of workshops across the country to brainstorm and inspire the dramatic advances needed in batteries, power electronics, motors, lightweight materials and fast-charging infrastructure technology to make it a reality.

Chu was in Dearborn Thursday for one of the workshops designed to recruit scientists, engineers and businesses so U.S. companies become the first in the world to produce affordable and convenient plug-ins for the average American family.

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