Both John McCain and Barack Obama have announced that they’re amped to develop clean car technology if either were to be elected president.   They do, however, have different ways of showing it, according to The New York Times.

First off, Senator McCain’s plan centers on the challenge he put forth a while back concerning the development of new technology:

Mr. McCain has talked of a $300 million challenge to develop batteries with the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars. The winning battery would need to deliver full performance, but cost just 30 percent of current technology.

Other than that, there’s not too much more substance other than speaking about how electric or hybrid cars are necessary.   Meanwhile, says the Times, “Mr. Obama has the more detailed plan.”

Part of that plan is to put a million plug-in cars on the road by 2015.  Ambitious. As well,

He also says he would convert the entire White House fleet to plug-ins within a year of his taking office as security permits, and commit the federal government to making half of its new vehicle purchases battery cars and plug-ins by 2012. Mr. Obama claims that his 10-year, $150 billion energy plan will save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined.

I’m not sure that converting the White House fleet to plug-ins would be more than a drop in a bucket, but the symbolism is obvious.   It seems, though that the details aren’t too much more fleshed out here, but it has some details.   Of course,

Some environmentalists don’t like either plan. Grandiose schemes that use taxpayer dollars in the hope of hitting a specific technology home run aren’t likely to work, and are not helpful, said John DeCicco, an automotive strategist for the Environmental Defense Fund. The government needs to set some really firm goals in terms of carbon reduction, and then get out of the way to let the private sector come up with a solution.

So, I don’t really have any answers for you.   It seems like we’ve got pros and cons on both sides.   If this information about car policies isn’t enough to help you make up your voting mind, takepart and read up on the candidates’ other green policies.   And vote!   Please!