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McCain Offers $300M Prize in Assault on Car Batteries

Republican calls energy security 'the great national challenge of our time'

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 23, 2008 3:24 PM CDT
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(Newser) – John McCain today offered a $300 million reward to the American who builds “a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars.” He said government had wasted energy money on special interests and failed to punish manufacturers who ignore or abuse fuel efficiency standards, the Hill reports.

“From now on,” the Republican presidential candidate said, “we will encourage heroic efforts in engineering, and we will reward the greatest success.” He also said "penalties are too small to encourage innovation" by automakers, promising stricter punishment while adding tax incentives for zero-emission vehicles.

Holding an early generation mobile cell phone, Republican presidential contender Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., talks about the rapid progress of American technology.
Holding an early generation mobile cell phone, Republican presidential contender Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., talks about the rapid progress of American technology.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain (red shirt) waves the green flag to start the NASCAR Nextel Cup series Coca-Cola 600 auto race.
Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain (red shirt) waves the green flag to start the NASCAR Nextel Cup series Coca-Cola 600 auto race.   (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
John McCain, center, signs a blade for a V80 machine with Gov. Ted Kulongoski, D-Ore., at Vestas Wind Energy Training Facility on Monday, May 12, 2008, in Portland, Ore.
John McCain, center, signs a blade for a V80 machine with Gov. Ted Kulongoski, D-Ore., at Vestas Wind Energy Training Facility on Monday, May 12, 2008, in Portland, Ore.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
nick
May 23, 2009 12:40 PM CDT
Is McCain offering $300M of his own money? Otherwise, it's political jargon that has no chance of becoming law. It is refreshing, though, to hear a real idea-- of any sort-- coming from the Republican side of the aisle.

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John McCain • vehicle emissions • fuel efficiency • automaker • electric cars • prize

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