Both Senators McCain and Obama have expressed support towards the development of alternative fuel and vehicle technologies - but which candidate has the best green car platform? The Christian Science Monitor brought together five clean energy experts to assess each candidate's platform. Here's where the candidates stand:

Obama:
1- Calls for federal investments of $150 billion over 10 years for next-generation fuels and for commercialization of plug-in hybrids.
2- Wants an expansion of locally-owned biofuel refineries.
3- Plans to add 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels to fuel supply by 2022.
4- Intends to double fuel economy standards within 18 years, while offering tax breaks and federal loan guarantees to US auto companies.
5- Calls for federal tax credits for hybrids.
6- Wants all new cars to be flex-fuel vehicles.

McCain:
1- Wants to create a tax credit for consumers of up to $5,000 for buying a green car.
2- Plans to establish penalties to car companies for violating federal fuel-efficiency standards.
3- Calls for a $300 million prize to improve battery technology for plug-in hybrid or electric cars.
4- Wants to remove or reduce tariffs on imported ethanol.

What is interesting, however, is that both McCain and Obama have recently come out in support of off-shore drilling for oil. Such a move sends a message to automakers to continue production of internal combustion engine vehicles, rather than stimulate alternative vehicle development.

As we move into the next U.S. Presidency, it is important for potential candidates to consider the wider ramifications of green car policy development. Such initiatives need to be thought out in a comprehensive fashion to avoid sending mixed signals to the industry.

[Source: Christian Science Monitor]

Considering all of the press that has been inked (or typed) regarding both John McCain's and Barrack Obama's various plans for the ailing automotive industry in America, you may think that the two hopeful presidential candidates would be in tune with the plight of the average driver who fills his or her tank. Or not. It seems that Republican John McCain is not aware of how much a gallon of gas costs. In fact, he says, "I don't recall, and frankly, I don't see how it matters." We have no intention of pushing any sort of political agenda, and this writer in particular is not attempting to back either politician with this writing, but the question begs to be asked: how in the world could somebody living in the United States not know how much gas costs today? Every time the news is turned on or the internet is fired up, citizens are bombarded with constant reminders that gas has crested the $4 a gallon mark. It must take a really busy man to be completely unaware of the price of gasoline these days.

Update: McCain apparently knew the price of gas when he gave a speech on June 18. See here.

[Source: Auto Observer]