Washington, D.C.—Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) and the Electrification Coalition (EC) worked in collaboration with the City of Atlanta to recruit 22 mayors from cities across the country to sign a joint letter in support of the federal electric vehicle (EV) tax credit. The mayors’ letter was sent to the appointed members of the conference committee following recent passage of the House and Senate tax reform legislation. It called for the preservation of the Section 30D Federal Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Tax Credit, which offers a $7,500 discount on purchase of a new electric vehicle.

“We appreciate the leadership of Atlanta and the 21 additional mayors, from Salt Lake City to Columbus to Louisville, for joining together to defend the EV tax credit,” said Ben Prochazka, Vice President of the EC. “The transition to driving electric is on the verge of a breakthrough and the EV tax credit is key to growing the electric vehicle industry, helping to reduce our country’s oil dependence and strengthen our overall energy and economic security.”

SAFE’s Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC), a coalition of CEOs and retired military leaders concerned with threats to America’s economic and national security through our continued oil dependence, have also expressed strong support of the EV tax credit citing it as a cornerstone to energy security policy.

The Federal Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Tax Credit has proven to be an effective policy tool for accelerating the adoption of EVs. The EV industry has led to the creation of 200,000 new jobs in the U.S., driven technological innovation, reduced oil dependence, saved consumers money, and generated economic benefits. H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as approved by the House, would eliminate this critical program.

Last week, the Senate passed a tax reform bill that kept the EV tax credit in place, but the provision remains at risk as the bill enters into conference between the two chambers. Today, Senate Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed the names of the GOP senators for the tax bill conference committee.

“EVs have zero tailpipe emissions,” says Stephanie Stuckey, Atlanta’s Chief Resilience Officer. “While our air quality is improving, we still need to be mindful of our ozone, particulate pollution, and, in particular, nitrogen oxides. Atlanta is committed to a clean, healthy environment for our citizens, particularly our most vulnerable populations. Transitioning to alternative forms of fuel and transportation is critical to this happening.”

With petroleum fuels providing 92 percent of U.S. transportation energy, oil dependence creates both an economic and national security risk. EVs offer a compelling alternative to motorists: In contrast to oil, electricity is provided by a diverse range of domestic energy sources, and is low and stable in price.

SAFE and the EC invite mayors across the country to join this letter and showcase their support for continuing the EV tax credit. The official letter and additional information for mayors to sign on can be found here.

About Securing America’s Future Energy
Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization that aims to reduce America’s dependence on oil. Near-total dependence on petroleum in the transportation sector undermines the nation’s economic and national security, and constrains U.S. foreign policy. To combat these threats, SAFE advocates for expanded domestic production of U.S. oil and gas resources, continued improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency, and transportation sector innovations including electric vehicles, natural gas trucks, and autonomous vehicles. In 2006, SAFE joined with General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President, and CEO of FedEx Corporation, to form the Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC), a group of business and former military leaders committed to reducing the United States’ dependence on oil. Today, the ESLC is co-chaired by Frederick W. Smith and General James T. Conway (Ret), 34th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.
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About the Electrification Coalition
The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group of business leaders committed to promoting policies and actions that reduce America’s dependence on oil by facilitating the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale. The members of the Electrification Coalition are leaders of companies representing the entire value chain of an electrified transportation system.
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