A CHARGE Forward for Green Energy: Doggett Bill Drives Investment in Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

***For Immediate Release***

A CHARGE Forward for Green Energy: Doggett Bill Drives Investment in Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), a senior Member of the Ways and Means Committee and a longtime member of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) and the Safe Climate Caucus, introduced the Electric Vehicle Charging Helps Access to Renewable Green Energy (CHARGE) Act (H.R. 698), which would provide enhanced incentives for publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

"The United States needs to charge ahead on the road to green energy, not get left behind, after the climate destruction of the Trump years," said Congressman Doggett. "With the Biden Administration prioritizing the transition to electric vehicles, this legislation offers a roadmap for investment in public, accessible, electric vehicle charging, so that going green is as sensible and convenient a choice for households as it is productive for the planet. The Electric Vehicle CHARGE Act would deliver a major boost to electric vehicle charging infrastructure for all to use."

Transportation accounts for more greenhouse gas pollution than any other sector of the United States economy. With more Americans choosing to drive electric vehicles—and so many more families and businesses who could make the switch to electric vehicles—it is critical to have enough charging infrastructure to support them and to make going electric a practical household choice. One study found that, for the United States to meet its transportation sector target set out by the Paris Agreement, it would need 330,000 new public charging stations by the end of 2025.

Drivers considering going electric must be confident that charging their vehicle will be as convenient as filling up at the gas pump. This legislation would provide an expanded incentive for building more public charging stations with payment options, including the ability to pay with a credit or debit card, to ensure accessibility and convenience for all drivers. It would also expand incentives for charging infrastructure available for municipal bus and commercial vehicle fleets.

The Electric Vehicle CHARGE Act was already approved by the House in the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2) in July. This bill:

• Extends the tax credit for installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure for five years. The alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit (§30C) provides a 30% tax credit for costs incurred by businesses or municipalities up to a $30,000 maximum credit per location. For drivers installing a charger at home, the maximum credit is $1,000, reflecting the lower cost of the level 1 or 2 chargers commonly used in homes. This credit is set to expire in 2021.
• Expands the credit for publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations. For charging stations that hit the cap because they cost more than $100,000 – common for publicly available DC fast chargers – this legislation would eliminate the cap and provide a 20% credit for costs in excess of $100,000. This would incentivize technological innovation and building more fast-chargers. To qualify for this expanded credit, the infrastructure must:
  • Be intended for general public use and either accept credit cards as a form of payment or not charge a fee, or
  • Be intended for exclusive use by government or commercial vehicle fleets
• Provides certainty by providing the credit for property placed in service through 2026.

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