The Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA) hosted a briefing session about electric vehicle (EV) charging with 90 online viewers. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) delivered a keynote speech, and industry experts including Francesca Wahl from Tesla, Christina Baworowsky from Chargepoint, Alex Beaton from EVgo, and Lincoln Wood from Southern Company participated in a panel moderated by ZETA Executive Director Joe Britton. The briefing session was geared toward educating congressional staffers and members of the public on the nuances of EV charging policies related to adapting driver behavior, installing chargers for various use cases, and building equity and environmental justice through deployment.

"This Congress went a long way towards ensuring that we'll get the infrastructure side of the EV transition right," said Joe Britton. "The infrastructure bill allocates about $7.5 billion for EV chargers—$5 billion of which will be appropriated through the NEVI Program to build EVs along alternative fuel corridors. Congress has a big role to play in making sure this money is spent well, and that's why we held this briefing today."

The chargers deployed through the NEVI program will help to guarantee that EV drivers will have access to reliable chargers, wherever they are in the United States. The program will significantly mitigate range anxiety, regardless of whether drivers are commuting to work or making a cross-country roadtrip. 

"We can permanently end our reliance on Russian fossil fuels—while powering the economy with cheaper, cleaner energy. Electric vehicles are a big part of the solution," said Senator Markey. "Increasing the number of EVs on the road will not only drive down emissions and wane U.S. demand for foreign oil and gas, it will save Americans thousands of dollars over the lifespan of their car. I am proud to champion legislation that will ensure charging infrastructure is deployed equitably to all communities, because we can't leave working families out of the electric vehicle revolution. By deploying charging infrastructure, we can deliver a healthy, safe, and affordable transportation transformation in every community in this country."

ZETA strongly advocated for the NEVI program as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was negotiated, and ZETA continues to urge Congress to pass tax credits to accelerate EV adoption. By expanding the 30C investment tax credit (also known as the consumer EV tax credit), Congress can make it more affordable for businesses to install chargers on their property. And expanding the 30D EV consumer tax credit will enable more Americans to switch to EVs, which will create good-paying American jobs, vast consumer savings, boost public health, and cut carbon emissions.  

"Of course, there are more things we need to do to ensure a successful transition to zero-emission transportation," said Britton. "There are lots of policies we can pursue to achieve these goals. An expanded EV consumer incentive will send a strong market signal to create lasting demand, which will help American manufacturers compete with foreign markets and create good-paying jobs. Furthermore, expanding the tax credit for charging infrastructure will ensure that chargers are easily accessible at work, groceries stores, multi-unit dwellings, and more."

ZETA | https://www.zeta2030.org