Senior Republicans in the Senate are intensifying their opposition to the Biden administration’s push for electric vehicles (EVs), reflecting ongoing congressional resistance to policies encouraging a transition from fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. Even some Democrats are pressing the administration to expedite the development of charging infrastructure.
Recently, a group of senators introduced the Recalculating Electric Vehicle Efficiency for Accuracy and Legitimacy (REVEAL) Act. This legislation aims to refine how the Department of Energy (DOE) calculates the efficiency of electric vehicles. The senators argue that current methods, used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to set corporate average fuel economy standards, are flawed and misleading.
Sponsored by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and co-sponsored by several Republican senators, the bill intends to prevent perceived biases in favor of EV adoption. Barrasso emphasized that the REVEAL Act is designed to stop the administration from using inaccurate efficiency calculations to mandate EVs over gas- and diesel-powered vehicles. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and other co-sponsors echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for accurate information for consumers.
The legislation stipulates that the DOE must ensure that EVs are evaluated on comparable terms with traditional vehicles, considering factors like weight and class. It also calls for coordination between the DOE and the Department of Transportation for calculations affecting fuel economy standards. The bill would require a more accurate assessment of EV efficiency, particularly focusing on battery dynamics and other relevant factors.
Bipartisan concerns about the administration’s EV policies were also highlighted during a recent Senate hearing. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) criticized the slow progress in building a network of EV charging stations, a key component of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Merkley labeled the pace of implementation “pathetic,” pointing out that Oregon has yet to see a single charging station from the $5 billion initiative.
EPW Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.) acknowledged these concerns and suggested the possibility of holding a hearing to address the issues related to EV infrastructure. Federal Highway Administration leader Shailen Bhatt noted that while progress has been slow, there is optimism about meeting the administration’s long-term goals.
The administration’s agenda for increasing zero-emission vehicles by 2032 has faced significant pushback from over 100 congressional Republicans, who have introduced a Congressional Review Act resolution to halt new federal emissions rules. This resolution, led by Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), is gaining bipartisan support.
Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule to significantly boost zero-emission vehicles by 2032. However, trucking industry stakeholders, including the American Trucking Associations (ATA), have expressed concerns about the feasibility of these targets. ATA President Chris Spear emphasized that while the industry is not opposed to EVs, the current timelines are unrealistic given the existing challenges.
Despite the opposition, the administration continues to promote its strategy for reducing emissions. The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation recently introduced a road map aimed at facilitating the adoption of zero-emission Class 8 trucks by 2040. This plan is part of a broader effort to incrementally decrease transportation-related emissions over the coming decades.
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