http://www.energyefficiencynews.comAfion Media Ltd Electric carmaker Fisker receives $528 million government loan <p>Electric carmaker <a rel="external" href="http://karma.fiskerautomotive.com/">Fisker Automotive</a> is to receive a $528.7 million from the US <a href="http://www.energy.gov" rel="external">Department of Energy</a> (DOE) to develop two lines of plug-on hybrid electric vehicles.</p> <p>The two part loan from the DOE&rsquo;s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) programme will initially provide $169.3 million to support the development of the company&rsquo;s first vehicle, the four-door Fisker Karma, which is scheduled to launch next summer.</p> <p>The second stage $359.36 million loan will fund Fisker&rsquo;s plans to develop another plug-in hybrid that will be assembled in the US and is expected to be released in late 2012.</p> <p>Although the Fisker Karma will be assembled overseas, 65% of its parts will come from US suppliers. Producing the two vehicles could secure around 5000 US jobs, says the company.</p> <p>&ldquo;This investment will create thousands of new American jobs and is another critical step in making sure we are positioned to compete for the clean energy jobs of the future,&rdquo; said Energy Secretary Steven Chu.</p> <p>For further information:<br /> <a rel="external" href="http://karma.fiskerautomotive.com/">karma.fiskerautomotive.com/</a><br /> <a href="http://www.energy.gov" rel="external">www.energy.gov</a></p> <p>Related stories:<br /> <a href="http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/2411/" rel="external">US Government loans Ford $5.9 billion to produce fuel efficient cars (18-Sept)</a><br /> <a href="http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/2204/" rel="external">US Government loans $8 billion to Ford, Nissan and Tesla for advanced vehicles (25-Jun)</a></p> http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/2437/ 2009-09-28T00:00:00-00:00 US policy, Department of Energy, transport, road, plug-in hybrid, electric vehicle, Fisker Automotive, Karma, Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing programme