Agroup of businessmen launched a coalition yesterday to urge the federal government to make a major investment in electric transportation, pointing to electric cars as the best way to confront the nation’s dependence on imported oil. Top executives with more than a dozen companies, including Nissan Motor Co., FedEx Corp., electric utility PG&E Corp. and battery developers A123 Systems Inc. and Johnson Controls-Saft, announced the formation of the Electrification Coalition to lay the groundwork for millions of electric cars to reach U.S. highways.

As you plot your future, consider Richmond a partner. Our city and region are perfect locations for pilot programs experimenting with alternative transportation solutions that pollute less. A special tip of the innovator’s hat to Ford and General Motors. Ford, we think your electric vehicle and Urban Mobility Network would find a nice home in Richmond. We know that you have visited here—thanks to your manager of sustainable business development, David Berdish, who graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University—and we are excited that Richmond could be a part of the company’s return to glory.

The Chevy Volt will pack a powerful sticker shock of $40,000. GM promises 230 mpg in city driving in its bid to offer the first mainstream car with plug-in technology.