July 23, 2024
Dear Fellow Americans,
We believe the superior technology and benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) are compelling to all Americans, regardless of age, income, ethnicity, or political affiliation. Lower cost of ownership through reduced maintenance and fuel costs allows hard-working American families to keep more money in their pockets and local communities, benefiting everyone.
Shifting from burning gas and diesel to domestically produced electricity provides energy security and protects consumers from volatile gas prices at the pump. Plugging in millions of EVs can actually drive down electric rates. EVs improve air quality so much that even people who don’t drive EVs experience improved health from EVs in their communities.
Plug In America prides itself on being a non-partisan organization. We would be remiss, at this time in history, if we did not point out the remarkable accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration in driving progress toward clean transportation and electric vehicles. Disrupting a hundred years of drilling, refining, and burning oil and gas for transportation takes commitment and courage. Over the last three and one-half years, Congress and the Biden-Harris administration worked together to move our country toward a cleaner, healthier, economically robust future.
The passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) in 2021 authorized $1.2 trillion to support existing and new infrastructure and transportation investments. The law took bold action and committed $7.5 billion to connect our country through electrified highways and interstates and make EV charging available in historically underserved communities.
In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed. It became the largest climate investment in U.S. history and included clean vehicle tax credits for both new and used EVs as well as tax credits for EV charging infrastructure. Perhaps the best thing about these tax credits is that they aren’t funded by tax increases on American workers but largely by taxes on wealthy corporations.
The Biden-Harris Administration took on what may be the greatest threat the world has ever faced and created an industrial renaissance that will yield nearly 313,000 new jobs. Through collaboration and creativity, the administration and Congress developed solutions to reduce pollution, grow the economy, create good-paying jobs, and build a domestic supply chain–all at the same time.
The impact of these commitments to EVs has been stunning. Since January 1, the EV tax credits have allowed consumers to save $1 billion on their clean vehicle purchases. The credits have catalyzed monumental growth in domestic EV battery and charger manufacturing. Private companies have announced commitments of $177 billion to manufacture EVs and batteries benefitting congressional districts on both sides of the aisle.
In addition to all of these benefits, these policies are boosting EV sales. The most recent sales data again shows that EVs had another record-breaking quarter during Q2 of 2024. Today, on behalf of millions of EV drivers across the United States who benefit from lower transportation costs, less vehicle maintenance, cleaner air, and better health (not to mention how fun EVs are to drive), thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration for unprecedented support for the EV transition.
Sincerely,
The team at Plug In America
