U.S. lawmakers will soon be able to charge their electric vehicles at the Capitol building, thanks to legislation signed last week.
Last Thursday, President Obama signed a bill that will allow the U.S. House to operate battery recharging stations in parking areas. A separate bill allowing the operation of charging stations on the Senate side was signed the week before.
While it’s still unclear how many stations will be built, the cost of construction and operation of the charging stations will be covered by those who use the stations, so the installations will come at no cost to taxpayers.
“The federal government is wisely encouraging Americans and auto manufacturers to embrace the next generation of auto technology,” said Sen. Carl Levin (D-Detroit), who helped introduce the bill. “I think we should lead by example.”
Levin, who ones a 2011 plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt but does not have a garage at his Washington, D.C. home, had been trying since October 2010 to get electric charging stations installed at the Capitol. He had to create the legislation and see it passed in order to have the stations installed.
Photo: Flickr/keithreifsnyder
via [Detroit News]
