For media inquiries, contact: Sasha Tenenbaum, stenenbaum@calstart.org

WASHINGTON –Today, 90 members of Congress in both the Senate and House, led by Senator Alex Padilla (CA) and Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-3), delivered a strong message to transportation authorizing committee leadership that the historically bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill cannot move forward without funding for clean vehicles and infrastructure. The “Dear Colleague” letter was signed by every one of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee minority members, an overwhelming majority of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee minority members, 21 senators, and 69 House members.

These leaders urged authorizing committee chairs to invest in the transportation infrastructure needed to keep the United States competitive in a global economy, including modern fueling networks and the transportation infrastructure relied on by today’s businesses and communities. Since the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act established these programs, American consumers have continued to embrace electric vehicles (EVs) in greater numbers – reaching 10.5% of new car sales last quarter, up from just 3.14% in the third quarter of 2021. And across the commercial sector, adoption has accelerated even faster: the number of zero-emission trucks on the road has surged from fewer than 5,000 in 2022 to more than 50,000 by the end of 2024.

The letter underscores the importance of programs like the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure discretionary grant program, the Carbon Reduction Program, the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities program, and the Low or No Emission Grant Program, which created historic federal investments in charging and clean vehicles. These initiatives have driven historic federal investment in clean vehicles and modern fueling infrastructure.

“Eliminating or repurposing funding for these programs would undercut the multi-year bipartisan surface reauthorization process, which is essential to giving states and localities the stability they need to plan long-term infrastructure projects…eliminating dedicated investments in EV and alternative fueling technologies would represent a departure from the bipartisan cooperation that has always driven surface transportation legislation,” the letter states.

 In response, CALSTART Head of Policy, Trisha DelloIacono, issued the following statement:

“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act delivered transformative investments to accelerate the low- and no-emission vehicle industry. These investments have created jobs, improved public health, and strengthened the global competitiveness of the U.S. transportation sector as advanced vehicle technologies grow rapidly worldwide.

“We applaud the congressional leaders who signed this letter and who recognize the need to build on the progress initiated in 2021. These members understand that continued investment in a diverse mix of fueling and vehicle technologies is essential to maintaining – and expanding – America’s share of the global transportation market.

“CALSTART looks forward to working with Congress as this legislation advances and to ensuring members understand the importance of including electrification funding in the next infrastructure package.”

About CALSTART

A mission-driven industry organization focused on transportation decarbonization and clean air for all, CALSTART has offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado, California, Florida, and Europe. CALSTART is uniquely positioned to build the national clean transportation industry by working closely with its more than 210 member companies and building on the lessons learned from the major programs it manages for the State of California. CALSTART manages more than $1 billion in vehicle incentive and technical assistance programs in the United States and is leading a global effort to build the zero-emission commercial vehicle market.