Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
noah@electrification.org, (202) 461-2371
WASHINGTON—This weekend, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee released its text of the surface transportation reauthorization bill, also known as the highway bill.
As it stands, the bill text would not reauthorize funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which provides essential funding to build the backbone of the nation’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
The proposed text also imposes a new $130 annual EV tax, which would increase to $150 over time, requiring EV drivers to pay more into the Highway Trust Fund than most internal combustion engine vehicle drivers.
Additionally, the bill text substantially limits the Charging & Fueling Infrastructure program, folding it into another existing program—the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program—and reducing its funding by approximately $1.5 billion. The bill text would also repeal the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities program and the Carbon Reduction Program.
In response, EC Executive Director Ben Prochazka released the following statement:
“Ending our nation’s dependence on oil for transportation is critical for American economic and national security. Oil prices are inherently volatile, as we are seeing now amid the war in Iran, impacting families and businesses across the country. Our best option to end oil’s monopoly over transportation is to give consumers more options to power vehicles with electricity produced domestically from a variety of sources.
“EV charging infrastructure is an essential part of our nation’s transportation infrastructure. NEVI and CFI have supported the deployment of thousands of chargers nationwide, helping ensure that the millions of Americans who choose to drive electric now or in the future have reliable, accessible access to refueling infrastructure.
“Though significant progress on charging infrastructure deployment has been made in recent years—thanks in part to the NEVI and CFI programs—a lack of access to charging remains a top concern among the many Americans interested in purchasing an EV. To ensure that charging infrastructure deployment keeps pace with increasing adoption, Congress should maintain current levels of funding for these critical infrastructure programs.
“While all drivers should pay their fair share to fund transportation infrastructure, an unfair and punitive tax on EV drivers, higher than what most internal combustion engine vehicle drivers pay, is the wrong direction. Congress should instead pursue a fuel-neutral approach to addressing our transportation funding challenge.
“The U.S. auto industry is falling behind our global competitors, particularly Chinese automakers, in the EV sector. Cutting the NEVI program and instituting a new tax on EVs will only put the United States at a greater disadvantage and risk thousands of American jobs.
“EVs are more affordable than ever, with many now coming off of leases and entering the used market. They are the most cost-stable option for drivers looking to limit transportation costs amid volatile, high gas prices.
“The highway bill should support reliable, affordable, and convenient transportation for all Americans, regardless of which vehicle they choose. To protect our economy and our national security, Congress should reject any proposals to eliminate funding for EV infrastructure or institute a punitive tax on EV drivers.”
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. ElectrificationCoalition.org