House Democrats seek to expand loan program for fuel-efficient vehicle projects
Audrey LaForest
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WASHINGTON Two House Democrats introduced a bill April 1 that would expand a loan program within the Department of Energy for projects that are committed to the production of fuel-efficient vehicles and parts.
The bill, sponsored by Reps. Debbie Dingell of Michigan and Julia Brownley of California, would update the Energy Department s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program by broadening the definition of eligible borrowers to include ultra-efficient vehicles, as well as light-duty and medium-duty passenger vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles that meet emissions standards set by the EPA or emit zero emissions.
REUTERS
In January, Biden said the administration would replace the federal government s fleet of 650,000 vehicles with clean electric vehicles made right here in America made by American workers.
WASHINGTON California s two U.S. senators are urging President Joe Biden to set a firm date to phase out gas-powered passenger vehicles as the White House grapples with how to rewrite vehicle emissions rules slashed under President Donald Trump.
In an unreported letter going to Biden on Monday, U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein both of them California Democrats called on Biden to follow California’s lead and set a date by which all new cars and passenger trucks sold be zero-emission vehicles. They also urged Biden to restore California s authority to set clean car standards.
The U.S. auto industry sees President Joe Bidenâs infrastructure package as accelerating a global shift toward electric vehicles, thanks to the $174 billion proposed for charging stations, planned consumer rebates for American-made EVs and a pledge to electrify the governmentâs fleet.
The proposal, which requires congressional approval, is likely to be targeted by progressives as too little in scope and by Republicans as unfairly using taxpayer funds to help the alternative energy sector while harming others, such as the oil industry. Market researchers, oil-energy advocates and other critics warn that it may not be enough to make a dent in the sale of gas guzzlers in the U.S. any time soon.
Biden plan may aid gas-electric shift
By Keith Laing and Ari Natter - Bloomberg News
A charging cable is plugged into a Volvo electric vehicle Nov. 18, 2020, in a parking bay reserved for electric vehicles in London.
The U.S. auto industry sees President Joe Biden’s infrastructure package as accelerating a global shift toward electric vehicles, thanks to the $174 billion proposed for charging stations, planned consumer rebates for American-made EVs and a pledge to electrify the government’s fleet.
The proposal, which requires congressional approval, is likely to be targeted by progressives as too little in scope and by Republicans as unfairly using taxpayer funds to help the alternative energy sector while harming others, such as the oil industry. Market researchers, oil-energy advocates and other critics warn that it may not be enough to make a dent in the sale of gas guzzlers in the U.S. any time soon.
Apr 3, 2021
DETROIT (AP) Dangling tax credits and rebates in his drive to fight climate change, President Joe Biden wants you to trade your gas-burning car, truck or SUV for a zero-emissions electric vehicle.
Some buyers would find his offer persuasive. Yet Biden’s goal is a daunting one: Even if Congress approves his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan, along with its incentives, it would take many years to replace enough internal combustion vehicles with EVs to make a huge dent in tailpipe emissions.
Right now, there are about 279 million vehicles on the road in the United States. The proportion that are fully electric, according to IHS Markit, is 0.36%. Of the 14.5 million new vehicles that were sold last year, 2% were fully electric.