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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced comprehensive legislation to support and advance the development, production, and distribution of electric vehicles and electric infrastructure across the United States.

Americans are interested in electric vehicles, but fear of affordability, range, and charging makes them slow to adopt. According to a May 2019 AAA survey, only 16 percent of Americans say they would consider an electric vehicle for their next car purchase because consumers were concerned about purchase price, repair costs, and finding or running out of a charge.

“As the effects of climate change intensify and other nations invest heavily in electric vehicle production and adoption, it’s critical the United States accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure to remain on the forefront of innovation and global competitiveness,” said Dingell. “Investing in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure is also pivotal to the United States rapidly transitioning to a clean, net zero emissions economy.”

The USA Electrify Forward Act is a comprehensive bill that accelerates US development, production, manufacturing, and distribution of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. The bill makes critical investments in areas that will boost consumer confidence, make charging stations more accessible, and lower costs for manufactures and consumers.

“We must continue to keep the United States at the forefront of innovation and technology, while simultaneously address critical environmental issues including the reduction of our carbon footprint. Electric vehicle development and deployment is critical to advancing the future of transportation, creating jobs and addressing climate change,” said Dingell. “The USA Electrify Forward Act makes critical investments in manufacturing and infrastructure to lower costs for consumers and producers. Americans have a growing interested in electric vehicles, but we must take steps now to inspire greater consumer confidence and ensure American Made electric vehicles are the greatest in the world. We also want to ensure that Michigan remains the global center of the auto industry.” 

The USA Electrify Forward Act:

• Accelerates domestic manufacturing of batteries, power electronics, and other technologies in plug-in vehicles to make electric cars more efficient and match consumer expectations

• Updates residential and commercial building codes to encourage the instillation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure so consumers can charge EVs at home and work

• Modifies and reauthorizes the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program, grant and loan program at the Department of energy, beginning in fiscal year 2021 through 2030

• Requires states to consider new measures to encourage deployment of electric vehicle charging stations

The text of the USA Electrify Forward Act is available here.

Dingell leads a coalition to take on the climate change challenge. She, along with Reps. A. Donald McEachin (D-VA, Deb Haaland (D-NM), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME), led comprehensive legislation to set a nationwide goal of achieving a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050, defined as net-zero climate pollution across all sectors of the United States’ economy. The 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019 directs federal agencies to use all existing authorities to put the United States on a path toward meeting the achievable 100 percent clean economy goal while remaining technology-neutral.

Dingell also leads the House bill to establish a National Climate Bank to publicly finance and stimulate private investment in clean, renewable energy and emissions reduction projects. The National Climate Bank will use public capital to stimulate private investment in a range of projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the nation’s clean economy transition across many sectors.

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