| Potomac Senior Advisor Authors Chapter in Recent Book by the Brookings Institution |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 01 April 2009 08:11 |
|
Washington, D.C. – April 1, 2009 – Dr. Irving Mintzer, Senior Advisor to Potomac Energy Fund, recently authored a chapter for the book, Plug-In Electric Vehicles: What Role for Washington? Dr. Mintzer’s chapter is titled, “Look Before You Leap: Exploring the Implications of Advanced Vehicles for Import Dependence and Passenger Safety.” The complete text of Dr. Mintzer’s chapter is available here. Dr. Mintzer asserts that a transition to plug-in electric vehicles involves several key risks, as all current designs incorporate significant quantities of heavy metals and rare earth elements into critical drivetrain components. In many cases, acquiring these materials means relying on national governments that are unstable or overtly hostile to U.S. interests. In addition, some of the exotic materials used in these vehicles carry significant risks in the event of accidents or major malfunctions. In his chapter, Dr. Mintzer discusses these potential hazards and identifies several less risky alternatives. Plug-In Electric Vehicles: What Role for Washington? is available for purchase from the Brookings Institution Press, with the following description: Last year, oil provided more than 96 percent of the energy in our cars and trucks. This overwhelming dependence empowers our enemies, imperils the planet, and strains family budgets whenever world oil prices rise. What can be done? The single most important answer may be promoting the widespread use of plug-in electric vehicles. This important book examines the role that the U.S. government can and should play in that mission. Most major automakers have announced plans to market plug-in electric vehicles, which can generally be recharged with a simple extension cord. What is the national interest in putting millions of these cars and trucks on the road soon? What should the federal government do to help make that happen? Can federal tax or procurement policy play a role? Can federal research and development help? At what point would subsidies for plug-in electric vehicles begin to match subsidies for oil? Answers to these questions and more emerge in this timely, innovative, and provocative volume. The editor of Plug-in Electric Vehicles is David B. Sandalow, an experienced expert in energy policy. His contributors include former government officials (e.g., former CIA Director James Woolsey), respected private sector analysts, NGO activists, and academic experts. Together they explain the current landscape for plug-in electrics and implications for national security, the environment, and the economy. They discuss what can and should be done to advance the role of plug-in electric vehicles. About Potomac Energy Fund Potomac Energy Fund is a clean technology venture fund that invests in leading companies across four broad themes: alternative energy, energy efficiency, infrastructure development and resource management. For more information, please visit www.potomacenergyfund.com.
Contact: Potomac Energy Fund This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 301-695-9229 |