Lugar Visits EnerDel, Discusses Hybrid Technologies

On February 9, 2008, Senator Lugar visited EnerDel Lithium Power Systems in Indianapolis, Indiana to discuss fuel efficient and advanced technologies in hybrid electric vehicles. EnerDel is researching methods to decrease the weight and footprint of batteries while providing more power and energy for hybrid electric vehicles.

Senator Lugar drives a 2005 Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicle and took a test drive in a Prius modified with an EnerDel Lithium ion battery while visiting the Indiana company.

Underscoring the need for new battery technologies, Senator Lugar said at EnerDel, "Our predicament in the world currently is that much of our automotive and transportation energy comes from oil... Many argue that the supplies of oil in this world are still very substantial and most of us would agree with that. But at the same time, most of us note that the places from which oil is being found are more and more difficult, literally, to get to..."

Lugar's 2008 Energy Trip to the Caucasus

In January 2008, Senator Lugar travelled to Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Ukraine to advocate greater energy security cooperation.  He discussed extension of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and South Caucasus oil and natural gas pipelines to Central Asia, and the importance of diversifying transit routes to reduce European dependence on Russian pipeline infrastructure, including the Nabucco project.

Press releases from the Caucasus:

• Lugar discusses energy security with Kazakh and Turkmen leaders
• Lugar continues his energy security mission in Azerbaijan

Recent Energy Speeches:

• Jan. 4, 2008 Speech: Lugar's Answer to $100 per barrel Oil
• Dec. 18, 2007 Speech: U.S. Energy Security and the 2008 Presidential Election