If we’re serious about making the transition from gas-guzzlers to hybrids¹, then we’ve got to show automakers and truck manufacturers that there’s a real market for these incentives²（激励） .  They're not going to build them if they don't think anybody’s going to buy them.  We need to show them that if they manufacture fuel-efficient cars and trucks, people will buy them.  We need to put our money where our mouth is.

And I’m proud to say that one group that's actually leading by example on this is the federal government.  Right now, the government’s fleet includes more than 600,000 vehicles, which means that we have the largest fleet in America.  And that means we’ve got a lot of purchasing power.  So what we’re doing is we’re using it to boost clean energy technologies.  We’ve already doubled the number of federal cars and trucks that are hybrids, and I’m directing our departments and our agencies to make sure 100 percent of the vehicles they buy are fuel-efficient or clean energy cars and trucks by 2015.  Not 50 percent, not 75 percent -- 100 percent of our vehicles. 

So the government can lead by example.  That creates a market.  That means they’re manufacturing more of it.  That means that unit cost may go down, which makes it cheaper for businesses and consumers.

But if we’re going to upgrade all of America’s fleets, then our businesses are going to need to step up, as well.  And that’s why I am very proud of what companies like UPS, FedEx, AT&T, Verizon, and PepsiCo are doing.  Along with Secretaries Chu and LaHood, I just had a chance to see some of these fuel-efficient cars and trucks that they’re adding to their fleets, including hybrids and all-electric vehicles manufactured right here in the United States of America by Ford³ and GM -- right here in the U.S. of A.  (Applause.)  And as owners of some of our nation’s largest private fleets, these companies are leading the way when it comes to building clean fleets, and we need to make sure all our businesses are following their example.

So that’s why we’re launching a National Clean Fleets Partnership⁴.  If you’re a business that needs to transport goods, then I’m challenging you to replace your old fleet with a clean energy fleet that’s not only good for your bottom line, but good for our economy, good for our country, good for our planet.  And if you accept this challenge and you join our Clean Fleets Partnership, we’re going to make a number of tools available –- from technical assistance to cutting-edge research and development –- that will help you make the transition to a clean energy fleet.  And Chu and LaHood will also come and wash your car or truck.  (Laughter.)  Wasn’t that part of the deal?  Absolutely.  (Laughter.)  A little Armor All -- it’s going to look good.  (Laughter.)

Just to give you a sense of the kind of difference this partnership can make, every single year millions of commercial vehicles travel America’s roads and highways, burning nearly 4 billion gallons of fuel along the way -- 4 billion gallons.  With this partnership, we’ll help make sure those vehicles are energy-efficient so we can cut the amount of pollution they pump into the air, cut the amount of gasoline they need to fill a tank, cut the amounts of oil America imports from abroad.

Now, this Clean Fleets Partnership is just part of a broader effort that we’ve been making over the last couple years to promote fuel-efficient vehicles and build a clean energy economy. Last year, after going about 30 years without raising fuel-efficiency standards, we finally put in place a national fuel-efficiency standard for cars and trucks.  And as a result, our cars will get better gas mileage⁵（每英里汽油消耗量） , and ultimately they’re expected to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil.  Our consumers will save money from fewer trips to the pump.  Our automakers will build more innovative⁶ cars and trucks.  And later this year, as we finalize⁷ the first-ever fuel standards for heavy-duty trucks, we’ll announce the next round of fuel standards for cars that builds on what we’ve done.

Now, beyond raising fuel standards for our cars and trucks, we’re also working to build the next generation of vehicles.  I mean, it was wonderful seeing some of these trucks and cars that were back here, and I was getting the input⁸ from folks about how we can advance the technologies.  Soon after I took office, we set a goal of having 1 million electric vehicles on our roads by 2015, which would make the United States the first country in the world to reach that milestone⁹.  And to help meet that goal, we need a $7,500 tax rebate¹⁰ that’s available directly at the dealership¹¹ for those who want to buy electric vehicles.  And we should launch a new program to reward communities that make it as easy as possible for families and businesses to use electric vehicles.