The B2B platform for full-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Policy News

The US Senate Energy Committee approved this week a new $3.9 billion (around €3 billion) worth bill to build charging infrastructure, conduct research and provide incentives for consumers to buy electric and plug-in vehicles. In addition, ministers launched the Electric Vehicle Initiative to accelerate the uptake of EVs.

The United States has made a step towards an impressive investment and commitment for electric vehicles. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved funding of around $3.9 billion (€3 billion) to build infrastructure for EVs in order to cut the country’s carbon emissions and to reduce its dependence on foreign oil. The bill would allow spending the money over the next 10 years for selected communities to build the relevant infrastructure and create targeted incentive programmes.

"Passing this legislation will strengthen our national security and improve the air we breathe, while relying on our abundant and diverse electricity supply to fuel our cars," said Senator Byron Dorgan, the bill's chief sponsor.

The approval was just the first round of hurdles that the bill must pass, however. The resulting incentive programmes will then need to convince consumers to buy electric vehicles so that half of the country’s cars and trucks can drive electric by 2030.

New Electric Vehicle Initiative launched

In addition, ministers at the Clean Energy Ministerial have introduced the Electric Vehicles Initiative, a global collaboration with several countries and their national industry, academic and end-user stakeholders to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles. By launching pilot city programmes, sharing information on funding as well as research and development or best practices, the initiative aims to increase the acceptance and sales of electric vehicles.

Besides the US, the Electric Vehicle Initiative already includes the governments of China, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the UK.