Biden-Harris Administration Drives Clean Transportation Future with New EV Commitments

In a significant step toward a more sustainable transportation future, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new public and private commitments aimed at increasing access to electric vehicles (EVs), saving taxpayer dollars, and addressing climate concerns. The initiative includes ground-breaking federal employee travel guidelines that prioritize sustainable transportation both domestically and internationally.

Federal Commitments: Leading by Example

The federal government, as the nation’s largest employer, plans to take the lead in clean transportation by adopting American-made EVs and charging infrastructure. In 2022, federal employees took over 2.8 million flights, 2.3 million vehicle rentals, and 33,000 rail trips. The new guidelines aim to accelerate the transition to clean transportation, create union jobs, and foster healthier communities.

President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan, with a goal to achieve net-zero emissions from overall federal operations by 2050, involves a 65% emissions reduction by 2030. The administration’s travel guidelines for federal employees focus on:

1. Prioritizing Electric Vehicle Use: Federal employees will opt for EVs on official travel when the cost is equal to or less than traditional vehicles, saving money and reducing pollution.
2. Expanding Rail Travel: Employees will use rail for trips under 250 miles when cost-effective, reducing reliance on airplanes or vehicles.
3. Increasing Public Transit Use: Federal employees will prioritize public transit for local travel and upon arrival at official travel locations.

Federal agencies have been directed to implement these guidelines within 120 days, ensuring sustainable travel options are easily accessible to employees.

Private Sector Commitments: A Collaborative Effort

As part of President Biden’s goal to have at least 50% of new vehicle sales electric by 2030, the EV Acceleration Challenge encourages collaboration between the federal government, travel industry, major corporations, and state and local governments. Key commitments from leading organizations include:

Travel & Hospitality Sector:

• American Express Global Business Travel introduces a software solution prioritizing EVs in trip bookings.
• Amtrak commits to transitioning its highway vehicle fleet to zero emissions by 2035, eliminating over 3 million gallons of fuel annually.

Rental Car and Rideshare Companies:

• Hertz commits to significantly increasing EV rentals to corporate travelers, forecasting an eightfold increase compared to 2022.
• Uber expands its “Green Curb at Airports” initiative to 10 airports by 2025, providing riders with perks to go green.

Private Sector:

• bp pulse commits to deploying over 3,000 fast and reliable charging points in the US by 2025.
• Deloitte US aims to reduce its business travel emissions by 50% per full-time equivalent by 2030 compared to 2019.

Non-profit Sector:

• Environmental Defense Fund updates its travel policy to prioritize EVs and encourage train use.
• Sierra Club prioritizes sustainable business travel by emphasizing regional rail service and EV rentals.

These commitments align with President Biden’s broader agenda to spur domestic manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, enhance U.S. competitiveness, and create jobs while fostering a cleaner and more sustainable future. The administration has made significant strides in EV adoption, with sales tripling and publicly available charging ports growing by almost 70% since President Biden took office. The US has already set a new record, selling over 1 million EVs this year. The EV Acceleration Challenge continues to welcome submissions, highlighting the ongoing commitment to sustainable transportation solutions.