CHARGE members endorse the following set of principles for Congress and the new administration to develop smart zero-emission vehicle policy for the next stimulus or infrastructure package.

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Public transit provides essential, reduced-pollution mobility. As the collective owners of 70,000 fleet vehicles, transit agencies need significant increased funding from the federal government to update that fleet to zero emission vehicles with necessary infrastructure; grow the fleet and provide better, more equitable essential service that reduces pollution and provides an alternative to congestion; and allow these crucial services to survive the COVID-19 crisis and thrive during the recovery. In addition, the public transit workforce provides an essential service, and policy must preserve jobs and provide training to ensure a smooth and equitable transition to zero-emission service.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES INFRASTRUCTURE

Federal policy should support deployment of charging and fueling infrastructure for all zero-emission vehicles that ensures access to public charging in all geographies as well as charging at all types of homes and businesses, with particular attention to communities facing transportation-related pollution burdens, low-income communities, and communities of color. Deployment should ensure workforce protections and training opportunities, especially for people who face disproportionate pollution impacts and employment barriers.

MEDIUM AND HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES

Electrifying the medium-and heavy duty sector, including school buses and trucks,  should be accelerated by providing significant incentives for private and public fleet operators, research and coordination on technological solutions and logistical improvements, and deployment and interoperability of charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. To the maximum extent practicable, policy should incentivize domestic manufacturing and include protections for workers and job training opportunities.