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Georgia Congressmen Back National Electric Vehicle Consumer Incentive Bill

14 May 1998

Georgia Congressmen Back National Electric Vehicle Consumer Incentive Bill

    WASHINGTON, May 14 -- A tax-incentive bill introduced in
Congress today by Georgia congressmen Mac Collins and John Lewis will
encourage the development of an electric vehicle marketplace in Georgia and
nationwide.  The announcement came today in a Pennsylvania Ave. ceremony at
the conclusion of the tenth annual Tour de Sol electric vehicle rally.
   "It's great that two Georgia congressmen have taken the lead and introduced
legislation promoting the use of electric vehicles," said A.W. Dahlberg,
president and CEO of Southern Co., and co-chairman of Electric Transportation
Coalition.  "The Electric Vehicle Consumer Incentive Tax Act of 1998 will help
more and more consumers take to the road in clean, quiet electric
transportation."
    The bill removes government-use restrictions, making it possible for state
and local governments to expand the use of electric transit and fleet
vehicles.
    The announcement follows the signing of a bill in Georgia last month to
provide a $1,500 state-tax credit for the purchase or lease of
alternative-fueled vehicles, including EVs.  The bill amends the nation's tax
laws to make a $4,000 tax credit available for electric vehicle purchases.  It
makes large electric trucks, vans and buses eligible for clean-fuel vehicle
tax deductions.
    The signing ceremony followed the conclusion of the 1998 Tour de Sol, an
annual electric vehicle rally, this year running from New York to Washington.
The world's leading automakers and electric utilities are sponsors of the
rally.

SOURCE  Electric Transportation Coalition