Biden’s imprecise EV language
May not all be wrong, but it’s not the whole story
It sure seems like the President wants to run again. The White House marketing machine has been turned up. Joe Biden and his staff are trying to sell what they see as his accomplishments so far. They are doing so with clever language when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), charging stations, and “made in America.”
The White House likes to put out “Fact Sheets” to promote what it has done. Last week a lengthy outline titled, “New Standards and Major Progress for a Made-in-America National Network of Electric Vehicle Chargers," was released. It highlighted Biden’s goal to have, “EVs make up at least 50% of new car sales by 2030.”
The Administration has been able to make progress with the Infrastructure Law and the spending bill it calls the Inflation Reduction Act. I understand the Administration is trying to sell something here, but let’s compare their language to what is actually happening.
-“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $7.5 billion in EV charging.”
True, but only $5 billion is being spent starting this year. It won’t be spent all at once. It will be doled out along big traffic corridors and underserved areas over the next several years. The rest, $2.5 billion, is being held back for now.
-”President Biden has publicly committed to building out a convenient, reliable, and user-friendly national network of 500,000 EV chargers by 2030.”
This is really problematic language. The President wants 500,000 charging stations. Who doesn’t? He’s not fully paying for them. That $7.5 billion (only $5 billion set to be spent over several years), if spent all at once, would build about 100,000 stations. But the US is not fully funding the construction of charging stations. This program is really a revenue share. The Federal government will put in some money. It will be private enterprise or state and local governments that spend the majority of the money needed to build 500,000 charging stations. The White House is pitching an incentive as if it were doing it all.
-“Because of President Biden’s leadership and record federal investment, EV sales have tripled and the number of publicly available charging ports has grown by at least 40% since he took office.”
I would give this a “false.” It is true sales of EVs and charging port additions have increased. But, some of the subsidies for EV purchases started only 6 weeks ago, and as mentioned the charging station incentives have not been fully released. This is the White House taking credit for market forces.
-“The Build America, Buy America requirements for EV charging equipment will help revitalize our manufacturing base.”
Maybe? Actually the White House may be right. But while the charging stations may be built in America, there’s a good chance they won’t be built by a US Company. The Fact Sheet lists several of the companies that will benefit from these rules.
-Tritium DCFC Limited- Australia
-Electrify America- Germany-Volkswagen
-Wallbox-Spain
-SK Signet- South Korea
-ADS-Tec Energy- Germany
-EV Box- Netherlands
-Siemans- Germany
This is not a suggestion that there is anything wrong with these companies investing and building product in the US. The question is about the language the White House is using about Build and Buy America. What does the White House say about all these international companies wanting to help build the charging infrastructure?
-“Federal agencies and states are standing up processes to implement and track Made in America requirements to ensure that federally-funded infrastructure projects use American-made iron, steel, construction materials, and manufactured products.”
So, American workers will build charging stations using American-made materials while many are working for an international company. Once again, that is not a bad thing. Just tell it like it is.
Those companies listed by the White House that are building these charging stations that are not US owned have been building this infrastructure for several years in their home countries. Which leads me to one last line from the White House “Fact Sheet” that seems overblown.
-“Our success in creating an EV charging equipment industry nearly from scratch demonstrates what Made in America policies can do to build a manufacturing base.”
This Administration seems committed to EVs and the infrastructure necessary to support those vehicles. The Biden team has been successful in getting these incentives passed by Congress. They are incentives and investments, not industry. In selling their successes, the White House appears to have taken its sales pitch a bit too far.
Wow! Not worth the engagement. When people become this deranged, one can only hope we really do marginalize them until they disappear. As a nation, we can't legitimize this as opinion worthy of consideration or equal time. It simply represents the rot that trumpism has brought upon us.
Maybe it is taking a little too much credit, but I would argue that it is the Democratic Administration driving the progress. I hope we can find an alternative to a second term for Joe, though he is doing an excellent job. Too much credit or not, the Dems need to keep making the point that with them driving the car, pun intended, we might have a chance to get there. Turn it back to the Fascists and you can kiss it all goodbye!