Obama continues to tout electric-vehicle grants

The administration had been
highlighting the economic impact of the $100 billion in the Recovery Act aimed
at science and technology more frequently in recent weeks as part of its effort
to demonstrate the stimulus has created jobs as promised. 

Obama credited the stimulus
grants for putting the United States on track to become a dominant player in
manufacturing advanced batteries for electric vehicles. As an example, he cited
his Thursday visit
to Smith Electric Vehicles in Kansas City, Mo., which received Recovery Act
funds to build trucks powered completely by electricity.

“The reason for their success
is their entrepreneurial drive. But it’s also partly because of a grant that we’re
offering companies that manufacture electric vehicles and the batteries that
power them,” Obama said.

There are also two bills aimed at boosting the electric-vehicle
industry currently before
Congress; both would invest more than $10 billion to accelerate
their adoption.