Charging America Forward Act to support Michigan-made vehicles
Legislation provides consumers $7500 rebate for electric vehicles, gives businesses a tax credit to purchase advanced vehicles
Senator Debbie Stabenow will introduce legislation today to spur the sale and production of advanced technology vehicles and create thousands of Michigan jobs. Sen. Stabenow's Charging America Forward Act will provide consumers with a rebate worth up to $7500 for plug-in electric vehicles at the time of purchase and give businesses a tax credit for purchasing medium or heavy duty plug-in hybrid trucks. The bill also extends a public-private partnership she helped create to increase the production of advanced battery technologies in America.
"Michigan is already a leader in emerging hi-tech battery and electric car production," said Senator Stabenow. "Other countries are acting to develop their own advanced vehicle markets because they realize the tremendous economic potential this new technology represents. These initiatives will allow Michigan innovators to continue to out-compete the world and create new jobs here."
[More statements from supporters of Senator Stabenow's legislation below]
Sen. Stabenow has long been a leader on efforts to expand America's advanced technology vehicle market. Last year, Sen. Stabenow authored a similar version of the Charging America Forward Act and sponsored the Advanced Technology Vehicle Act in the Senate, the companion of similar legislation introduced and passed in the House by Michigan Congressman Gary Peters. She was also instrumental in the creation of the $2 billion initiative to help private companies build new advanced batteries here in America.
In his State of the Union Address last week, President Obama announced he will support action to help automakers put 1 million new electric vehicles on the road by 2015. Vice President Biden has since announced the Administration's initiative will include many of the policies Sen. Stabenow has advocated.
Statements from those supporting Senator Stabenow's Charging America Forward Act:
"We are pleased to see Senator Stabenow's legislation that integrates all of the components necessary for successful acceleration of electric vehicles in the marketplace. We look forward to working with Congress on legislation that leads to widespread adoption of electric vehicles."
-General Motors spokesman Greg Martin
"We appreciate Senator Stabenow's leadership in introducing legislation that will provide incentives for heavy and medium duty hybrid commercial vehicles among other vehicle electrification technologies," said Dimitri Kazarinoff, Eaton vice president and general manager, hybrid power systems. "This legislation is an excellent example of how government, industry and the nation's commercial vehicle owners can collaborate toward a greener and more fuel-efficient fleet. Working together, we can make electric and hybrid power vehicles more affordable, speed adoption and create jobs."
-Dimitri Kazarinoff, Eaton vice president and general manager, hybrid power systems
"The Charging America Forward Act recognizes that a comprehensive approach is critical to electrifying the transportation sector. EDTA appreciates Senator Stabenow's leadership and looks forward to working with the Senator to accelerate the commercial scale adoption of electric drive."
Brian Wynne, President of EDTA
"ArvinMeritor supports the introduction of Senator Debbie Stabenow's Charging America Forward Act. As a leading global supplier of advanced drivetrain systems for the commercial truck industry, ArvinMeritor is currently developing technology to lessen the impact on the environment through greater fuel efficiency, including diesel-electric hybrid systems for heavy-duty trucks. Charging America Forward recognizes the benefits that can be achieved through the adoption of hybrid technologies. We applaud Senator Stabenow in her vision of promoting green technologies in the trucking industry."
-Joe Plomin, Vice President, Truck, Americas, ArvinMeritor
"Johnson Controls is committed to helping build an advanced battery industry in the United States. We have the capacity in place to supply advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles, now we need to build consumer acceptance of the technology. Legislation such as Senator Stabenow's Charging America Forward Act is critical in helping us drive that demand, creating a long-term, sustainable advanced battery industry,"
-Alex Molinaroli, president, Johnson Controls Power Solutions.
Supporters of Senator Stabenow's Charging America Forward Act Include:
- General Motors
- Johnson Controls
- Edison Electric Institute
- Calstart
- Eaton Corp
- MEMA (Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association)
- Battery Electric Vehicle Coalition
- Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA)
- Hybrid Truck User Forum (HTUF)
- Azure Dynamics
- A123 Systems
- Arvin Meritor
Senator Stabenow's Charging America Forward Act:
- Provides consumers with a rebate up to $7500 at the point of purchase to help spur the sale of plug-in electric vehicles. There is currently a tax credit of up to $7500 for the purchase of these electric vehicles, but consumers must wait until they file their taxes to claim the savings. This legislation would allow consumers to simply pay less for the vehicle at the time of purchase, similar to the Cash for Clunkers program (which Senator Stabenow authored in 2009).
- Provides businesses a tax credit worth $15,000 - $100,000 (depending on the truck's size) for the purchase of hybrid medium and heavy duty trucks. The bill extends the hybrid truck tax credit until 2014, and expands the credit to include new plug-in hybrid trucks.
- Extends and expands a current tax credit for investments in plug-in electric vehicle charging stations. The credit will now cover not only the outlet but also any wiring and other costs associated with installation in homes and businesses.
- Renews the public-private partnership Sen. Stabenow helped create to increase the production of advanced battery technologies in America. The original $2 billion initiative will help our country surge from producing two percent of the world's batteries in 2009 to 40 percent of the world's batteries by 2013. Extending this effort will help America gain even greater market share and create thousands more jobs in Michigan and across the country.
