Gen. Clark: Electric vehicles more important than ever

Detroit — The nation must muster the same economic might that brought about the explosion in personal computing, the Internet and cellular phones, and apply it to electric vehicle technology to help wean the U.S. from its dependence on foreign oil, Gen. Wesley Clark said this afternoon at “The Business of Plugging In” conference.

Freeing the U.S. of its petroleum-dependence is crucial to national security interests, said Clark, former supreme allied commander for NATO. He noted that the past few wars — from the first Persian Gulf War to the 2003 invasion of Iraq — had securing U.S. access to oil among their motivations. Climate change could also put extra burdens on national security, as well, if it brings about storm-related catastrophes that require military assistance.

Much of the oil imported — about 12 million barrels a day — goes to fueling our nation’s 240 million vehicles with the U.S. spending $300 billion to $500 billion each year to pay for it, he added.

All that could be money better spend invested here to create jobs and stimulate the economy, he added.

Detroit News