Guest View: Build Back Better needs to build on momentum with push for electric vehicles
World leaders gathered for the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland with a difficult task: dramatically cut carbon pollution to ensure a livable planet, climate and future.
In Oregon, as in the rest of the United States, the transportation sector is the largest contributor to global warming emissions. That’s why it’s so important to decarbonize the transportation sector if we are serious about rising to the generational challenge of fighting climate change.
We know that the expensive and dangerous impacts of climate change are not some theoretical exercise — we are feeling them today. This past summer alone, wildfires scorched more than 800,000 acres of land and extreme heat waves took almost 100 lives. It’s clear now is the time to take action to address climate change.
To limit harmful climate and air pollution, we have to retire and replace fossil fuel-powered transportation. With electric vehicle technology, we already have the solutions. From aggressively transitioning to EVs to electrifying our transit and school buses and expanding public transportation, we have the opportunity to aggressively slash transportation emissions over the coming decade.
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The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that passed Congress with bipartisan support will help drive us in the right direction.
The bill includes the first-ever federal investment in a national EV charging network. With zero tailpipe emissions and less than half the carbon emissions compared to their fossil fuel-powered counterparts, electric vehicles are a safer alternative to gas-powered cars. However, a lack of charging access is a significant obstacle to a speedy transition. Oregon is expected to receive $52 million over five years to fund electric charging infrastructure and will have the opportunity to apply for grants from a $2.5 billion fund that will support EV charging infrastructure across the country.
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From participating in the West Coast Electric Highway fast-charging network to providing up to $5,000 in rebates for the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle, Oregon has already pushed hard to incentivize EV adoption. The federal funding will add momentum to Oregon’s goal to reach 90% EV sales by 2035, ensuring in the future all Oregonians can charge up when they need to.
The bill also includes $2.5 billion for electric school buses. Children are especially susceptible to the health impacts of diesel, which still powers nearly 95% of the country’s school buses. Earlier this year, the Beaverton School District received the first fully electric school bus in Oregon. Again, federal funding will help jumpstart the state toward a future where all our kids can count on a pollution-free ride to school.
In addition, this infrastructure package will deliver record investments in greener and cleaner transportation. Oregon is expected to receive $747 million over five years to improve public transit options. Eugene already is a national leader in bikeability, and by increasing public transit options, especially in tandem with Lane Transit District’s goal to have a fossil-free transit fleet by 2035, even more residents can enjoy cleaner air and a safer climate.
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The Build Back Better Act could spur even greater electric vehicle adoption. Not only would this bill likely mean even more funding for charging infrastructure, but it also could include fully refundable tax credits up to $12,500 for folks who purchase new EVs and up to $4,000 for the purchase of used EVs. On top of Oregon’s existing EV rebates, it will be easier than ever for Oregonians to buy electric vehicles of their own, helping fight climate change and saving them money on fuel and maintenance costs.
Working across the aisle to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was a big accomplishment. This new law will provide Oregonians with safe, reliable and pollution-free transportation options and help us address transportation emissions at a critical moment. Now, Congress needs to swiftly pass the Build Back Better Act to build on this momentum and help drive us closer toward a healthy, livable future for all.
Celeste Meiffren-Swango is the state director for Environment Oregon. Peter DeFazio represents Oregon’s 4th Congressional District.
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This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Guest View: Build Back Better needs to build on momentum on EVs
