The roll-out of electric vehicles could be seriously compromised by power generation issues, a leading US automaker trade group has suggested.

Under new fuel efficiency rules announced in the US last week, the first 200,000 cars made by each automaker will receive a zero emissions rating, Reuters reports.

However, President Barack Obama revealed that the initial rating - designed to encourage electric car production - will be reviewed when the figure has been hit.

The news is likely to disappoint companies such as the Detroit 'Big Three' - General Motors, Ford and Chrysler - which were hoping for an unlimited zero rating.

In addition, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents most major US and foreign automakers, has suggested that problems will arise when the power-generation considerations are subsequently incorporated.

"Our compliance will depend on what the utility is doing," spokeswoman Gloria Bergquist told the news provider.

Those sentiments were echoed by David Friedman, of the Union of Concerned Scientists, who welcomed Mr Obama's recognition of electric vehicles' emissions-related issues.

"Their tailpipes may have zero emissions, but you have to get the electricity from somewhere so they are not truly zero-emissions," he said in an interview with Reuters.

The US government has ordered automakers to ensure their fleet contains an average of 35mpg per 2016.

Source:

U.S. gives electric cars initial "0" emission rating (01/04/10)

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