US presidential candidate John McCain has pledged a $300m reward for the development of a better battery-powered car.
The Republican presidential hopeful said that, if elected, he would post the reward to the first manufacturer that develops a car which is able to alleviate America's dependency on oil.
"Whether it takes a meeting with automakers during my first month in office, or my signature on an act of Congress, we will meet the goal of a swift conversion of American vehicles away from oil," McCain told a crowd in Fresno, California.
The move comes as US petrol prices continue to soar. The average price for a gallon of petrol is now $4.08, and the economy has continually been cited as one of the top issues in the upcoming election.
The proposal also pushes McCain further into the traditional Democratic strongholds of green technology and reduced oil consumption.
Last month, McCain bucked GOP tradition when he included carbon caps in his environmental policy.
McCain trails Democratic candidate Barack Obama in a number of national polls, but has enjoyed strong support from the IT community.
A March survey by the Computer Technology Industry Association placed the two candidates in a dead heat among IT professionals.
The UK has announced a low-carbon initiative of its own which encourages companies to collaborate on green vehicles.
UK start up promises electric 4x4 will deliver same performance as conventional model 23 Jun 2008
Minivan should hit the road this year 23 Jun 2008
French capital to get 4,000 electric hire cars as Mayor seeks to expand on successful bike pick up scheme 20 Jun 2008
Southern California Edison's facility one of two approved by the US energy department to investigate electric car performance 20 Mar 2009
Landmark ruling strengthens Obama's hand as he tries to force through climate change bill 20 Apr 2009
Major new investor study warns wide range of industries already facing disruption as a result of water shortages 27 Feb 2009Reports claim climate change bill could clear next hurdle by end of the month 05 Jun 2009With his Senate super-majority gone, can the President continue to pursue plans for a US climate change bill? 25 Jan 2010
Resolution follows similar decision by Shell shareholders last month 09 Feb 2010Measures needed to ensure cars do not charge from fossil fuel-powered grid 09 Feb 2010
Researchers use salicornia plants in carbon-negative process to grow biofuels 09 Feb 2010
More news
Friends of the Earth’s biofuels campaigner Kenneth Richter argues that biofuel targets are a distraction from tried-and-tested ways of reducing transport emissions 09 Feb 2010
Trewin Restorick wonders if the concept du jour of "nudging" behaviour change can help curb UK carbon emissions 08 Feb 2010
From feed in tariffs to vanishing top soil, we run down the top stories from the past week 08 Feb 2010 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
