Ford seeks tax credits to make batteries

[boomerbust]

Source: AP

DETROIT (AP) - Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it could invest up to $500 million in Michigan for the development and production of batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles if it wins state tax credits.

Ford, which has been assembling batteries from auto supplier Delphi Corp. in Mexico, said it plans to start producing its own battery systems for the next generation of hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles beginning with an electric Transit Connect in 2010 and an electric Ford Focus in 2011. The Focus will be built in Michigan.

Derek Kuzak, Ford's global vice president of product development, said in a conference call that Ford wants to hire up to 1,000 workers for the project.

It is seeking around $120 million in tax credits earmarked for companies that develop batteries. Nancy Gioia, Ford's director of global electric strategy, said she is in talks this week with Michigan leaders but didn't give a deadline for a decision.



Read more: http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.aspx?Feed=AP&Date=20091208&ID=10849820&Symbol=F

[endless october]

1. Michigan needs that work. hope the deal works out.

[swilton]

2. The Environment Needs That Investment

I am certain DUers who are more technologically versed than I am can say this better - but I'll try.

This is a good first step to wean ourselves away from the heavily polluting gasoline powered engines.

The transition from the gasoline powered engine to the total electric engine will exponentially cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and smog and pollution within the cities. Electric battery powered cars make more sense than the hydrogen powered engines which is fraught with problems and whose sollutions are light years away, or the bio-fuels which inherently demand great investments of fossil fuels just to grow the bio-products. Battery powered cars can easily be recharged through homes and/or refitting fueling stations which are already in place for gasoline powered cars. The problem is the energy stored in these batteries comes from coal.

The next technological breakthrough will adress this reliance on coal. I have already observed that institutions of higher learning are addressing the issues of the batteries and storing solar power. Furthermore, this idea is being promoted by such endeavors as solar powered car races.

Time is of the essence and our planet needs this urgently.

I'm glad to see that they are making the first step. :applause:

I recommend for all DUers the movie "Who Killed the Electric Car" :hi: