ZETA lays out federal EV policy roadmap

The Zero Emission Transportation Association has laid out a comprehensive federal roadmap to achieve 100% electric vehicle sales by 2030.

A new coalition, Zero Emission Transportation Association, or ZETA, launched in November with a pledge to advocate for national policies that will enable 100% electric vehicle sales throughout the light-, medium-, and heavy-duty sectors by 2030.

This first-of-its-kind industry coalition was formed by over 30 diverse non-partisan members which include battery, transportation, and electric vehicle companies and many others involved in the supply chain of EVs and its auxiliary productions as well as varying advocates and others involved in the electronics sector.

With members including Tesla, Uber, and Panasonic, the coalition is calling for an accelerated transition to electric vehicles, which will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, secure American global EV manufacturing leadership, dramatically improve public health and significantly reduce carbon pollution.

"For the first time in a generation, transportation is the leading emitter of U.S. carbon emissions," said ZETA Executive Director Joe Britton. "By embracing EVs, federal policymakers can help drive innovation, create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and improve air quality and public health. ZETA's formation recognizes a pivotal moment for national leadership and reflects the will of the growing clean transportation sector."

Presently, ZETA is calling for five key policy pillars that can, in aggregate, put America on the pathway to full EV adoption by 2030:

• Outcome-driven consumer EV incentives – Point-of-sale consumer incentives drive adoption, provide cost reductions and achieve real results in pushing transportation electrification. In addition, incentivizing early retirements while encouraging EV adoption will speed the transition and meet the urgency of the moment.

• Emissions and performance standards enabling full electrification by 2030 – Emission targets are a key piece of protecting public health and sending the correct market signals to support and accelerate the transition to zero emission transportation.

• Infrastructure investments – Strong federal charging infrastructure investments will drive the electric transportation transition and ensure that the United States is leading the way in a clean recovery where everyone is better off.

• Domestic manufacturing – We should not only accelerate U.S. transportation electrification, but also work to ensure that we secure domestic economic growth and leadership in EV manufacturing. Federal policies must encourage job creation and economic activity across the entire EV supply chain and lifecycle, from critical materials to vehicles.

• Federal leadership and cooperation with sub-national entities – Federal support should invest in research and development, provide an aligned vision for electrification, and ensure local leaders are empowered with the expertise and resources to support full vehicle electrification.

"The next decade will be critical in implementing federal policies that accelerate the transition to zero emissions vehicles and help address these problems head-on," said Britton. "The clean vehicle sector already boasts hundreds of thousands of jobs but, if we encourage its growth, the United States can decisively win the global race to develop a new clean transportation economy and employ hundreds of thousands of Americans right here at home."

The coalition has released its six-part strategy to call to action for these sweeping changes to national policies to promote growth in the rapidly increasing industry.

ZETA looks forward to working with President-elect Joe Biden and Congress to cultivate a strong, clean transportation sector and accelerate the transition to EVs.

The coalition hopes to provide federal policymakers with a comprehensive guide to accelerate the adoption of EVs, which consists of 34 policy proposals across six pillars:

• Light-duty electric vehicle consumer adoption – Point-of-sale consumer incentives, along with early retirement and tax incentives, will accelerate the demand for electric vehicles.

• Medium- and heavy-duty electrification – Buses, service, and delivery vehicles are primed for electrification, and fleet buyers are eager to save on service, maintenance, and fuel costs. New tax credits, retirement incentives, and targeted programs will further accelerate and drive demand for electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

• National charging initiative – ZETA is calling for a $30 billion investment in charging infrastructure. An investment of this scale will create thousands of jobs, stimulate local economies, eliminate range anxiety, and pave the way for transportation electrification that meets every community's needs.

• Encourage domestic manufacturing – The automotive industry was once the symbol of a dominant American manufacturing sector. Electric vehicles give us a unique opportunity to re-establish the United States as global leaders in production and innovative technology. ZETA's policy proposals promote production across the entire supply chain, from raw materials to manufacturing to battery recycling.

• Performance and emissions standards – Strong emissions targets will protect public health and send powerful market signals to speed the transition to zero-emission modes of transportation.

• Federal leadership – ZETA urges the federal government to lead the way by committing to the electrification of its own fleet, investing in charging infrastructure, and promoting federal EV rental. Federal leadership can provide an aligned vision for electrification that empowers local leaders with the necessary expertise and resources.

"ZETA's policy platform results from extensive outreach, research and collaboration with the electrical vehicle sector, advocates and policymakers," continued Britton. "We've worked diligently to develop a roadmap of recommendations that reflect the best path forward to electrify the transportation sector and meet this pivotal economic opportunity head on."

With the uncertainty of governmental leadership with the transition to a new administration in Washington DC, the proposals by ZETA will have to wait as the dust settles but with the strong presentation and backing it seems only a matter of time until they become heard.

Full details on ZETA's roadmap can be read on their website at http://www.zeta2030.org/policy-platform/.