EV companies showcase technology on Capitol Hill

While light-duty electric vehicles have become increasingly popular in recent years, environmental advocates say the next step is to make medium and heavy-duty vehicles more widespread.

An eclectic group of electric vehicle companies, with products ranging from delivery trucks to tractors, showcased their technology on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Workhorse, an Ohio-based company that manufactures electric delivery vans, drones and other technology, showcased a zero-emission electric cargo van, which they say will be on the road by the end of the year.

"We're going to pioneer the transition to zero-emission vehicles, commercial vehicles," said Stan March, vice president of Corporate Development and Communications at Workhorse.

In April, the EPA announced a proposed rule to set stricter emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles like delivery trucks, shuttles and buses beginning in model year 2027. It's currently in a public comment period.

Last summer, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, which includes billions of dollars to spur clean energy development and green tax credits.

"There are credits in the Inflation Reduction Act that cover much more than just light vehicles, and they include those medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and that can be a little bit higher cost," said Elizabeth Gore, senior vice president of political affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund. "There are opportunities for businesses for small business owners to take advantage of the policies that are in place and to move towards electrification of their vehicle fleets."

Additionally, the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed in 2021 provides states with federal dollars for electric vehicle charging stations.

"The bipartisan infrastructure law has included over $100 million worth of investment in Florida just on charging stations," Gore said. "And, so that's another factor as people are building out and really trending towards electric vehicles and a clean transportation sector."

With a divided Congress this year, it will be more difficult for environmental advocates to secure more federal dollars for green initiatives.

"Divided government absolutely makes life more interesting here in Washington, D.C. The Inflation Reduction Act has very popular provisions in it," Gore said. "And, so while we have divided government now, I'm confident that we're going to be able to maintain those investments, and I don't think that we're going to see backtracking from the provisions that were in that law."

She also says there's been an uptick in light-duty electric vehicles in Florida, with registrations increasing 87% since 2021.