Germany launched a campaign Wednesday to put 1 million electric cars on the road by 2020, making battery research a priority as it tries to position the country as a market leader. The program — which draws on approximately $705 million set aside in an economic stimulus package earlier this year but leaves many financing details up to the next government — drew criticism for being too vague. “It is our aim to make Germany into the market leader for electric mobility,” Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said after the Cabinet approved the plan.
