[Comm-Council] FW: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Encourages Legislature to Pass Electric Vehicle Bills

[HOKLIN Lonn * DO PA]

Lonn Hoklin

Public Affairs Manager

Oregon Department of Administrative Services

503.378.2627

503.428.2169 (cell)

________________________________

From: GOVERNORS Press [mailto:governors.press at state.or.us] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 3:11 PM
To: Communications
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Encourages Legislature to Pass Electric
Vehicle Bills

 

 

 

Theodore R. Kulongoski

          Governor

          

 

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 7, 2009

 

Contacts: 

Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169

Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496

Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040

 

Governor Encourages Legislature to Pass Electric Vehicle Bills

Governor's electric vehicle bills help transition to zero-emission cars,
attract business

 

(Portland) - Governor Ted Kulongoski today test drove an electric
vehicle made by Think, a Norwegian car maker looking to site a new
manufacturing and technical center in North America. The test drive, the
second this week, is evidence that car makers have taken notice of two
bills before the Legislature to encourage the manufacture and sales of
electric vehicles in Oregon. 

 

"Think is another company the state has attracted because of our
commitment to establish and grow the electric vehicle market - wins for
our economy and our environment," Governor Kulongoski said. "Through a
combination of environmental ethic and strategic tax credits, Oregon
today leads the nation in per capita ownership of hybrid vehicles. By
continuing this economic strategy, I believe that Oregon will also be
known one day as the state with the largest per capita ownership of
zero-emissions vehicles." 

 

Oregon is one of several states Think is considering as a location for a
new manufacturing and technical center. To compete more effectively for
these jobs or other electric vehicle business opportunities, the
Governor urged action on two proposals before the legislature this
session. One would make electric vehicle manufacturing facilities
eligible for the Business Energy Tax Credit and the other would
transition the hybrid tax credit to one that encourages the purchase of
zero-emission vehicles. 

 

"My vision has always been for Oregonians to be able to drive from
Astoria to Ontario and from Portland to Ashland emission free. With
Think, the Legislature now has the opportunity to take that vision one
step further: families could be making that drive in an emission-free
vehicle manufactured in Oregon by Oregonians," the Governor said. 

 

Joining the Governor during the test drive was Richard Canny, CEO of
Think North America, who came to Oregon to introduce Thinks electric
vehicle and announce the company's interest Oregon. 

 

"We are very encouraged by Governor Kulongoski's commitment to
transitioning to zero-emission vehicles and particularly, the interest
in making Oregon home to electric vehicle manufacturing and sales," Mr.
Canny said. "We believe Oregon could be a really good place for Think to
do business."

 

The planned manufacturing facility will initially employ about 290
workers with a starting capacity of 16,000 cars per year. The technical
center will provide jobs for another 70 engineers and electric drive
specialists. Plans ultimately call for up to 900 employees and a
capacity of 60,000 electric vehicles per year. 

 

The Governor added, "Whether it's Think or another electric car company,
the proposals before the legislature aim to attract good jobs, and
support our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning
to the next generation of vehicles."

 

This week's events follow the Governor's business mission to Asia last
November where he meet with Nissan, Toyota and BYD to encourage the
companies to use Oregon as a test market, manufacturing site or a
port-of-entry for electric vehicles. 

 

-30-

 

           

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