“Through the directive I’m signing, we’re also going to work with public and private sectors to develop the advanced infrastructure that will be necessary for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. And we’re going to continue to work to diversify our fuel mix, including biofuels, natural gas, and other cleaner sources of energy. I believe that it’s possible, in the next 20 years, for vehicles to use half the fuel and produce half the pollution that they do today. But that’s only going to happen if we are willing to do what’s necessary for the sake of our economy, our security, and our environment,” he stated.
He emphasized as well that this announcement is part of U.S. energy strategy. “But it’s not a substitute for other necessary steps to ensure our leadership in a new clean energy economy,” he clarify.
“As a sign of the broad support behind this plan, we are joined by the representatives from more than a dozen car and truck manufacturers, as well as fleet operators, auto workers, labor leaders, environmental groups, and officials from California and other states,” Obama announced in the Rose Garden.
Later on, the president explained that this initiative “is going to bring down the costs for transportating and it will reduce pollution, given that freight vehicles produce roughly one fifth of the greenhouse gas emissions related to transportation.”
