Accelerating Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption Across America
Adopted at the 87th Annual Meeting in 2019
WHEREAS, the United States is the second highest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world today and the top cumulative contributor since 1850, accounting for nearly 30%; and
WHEREAS, the transportation sector is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, accounting for nearly 30% of total emissions; and
WHEREAS, passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans account for over half of the transportation sector's greenhouse emissions; and
WHEREAS, reducing America's dependence on oil and unstable markets by transitioning to electric vehicles is a matter of national and economic security; and
WHEREAS, when we invest broadly in electric vehicles and their associated fueling infrastructure, public health outcomes will dramatically improve as air quality improves across America; and
WHEREAS, transitioning vehicles on our roads away from fossil fuel technologies to zero emission alternatives will reduce oil consumption, provide cost savings to Americans, and increase domestic jobs; and
WHEREAS, a robust national network of equitably distributed charging infrastructure and stations is needed to accelerate market transformation of electric vehicles; and
WHEREAS, to improve public health, fight climate change, and create jobs, as Mayors we urge the Administration and the United States Congress to maximize Federal direct funding to accelerate the transition of our transportation system from fossil fuel-powered technologies to vehicle electrification; and
WHEREAS, as Mayors, we support increasing the manufacturer cap to enhance the Federal EV tax credit, extending credits for charging infrastructure, and prioritizing funding for electric buses along with other vehicle classes, which together give vehicle manufacturers necessary market certainty to accelerate production capacity; and
WHEREAS, as Mayors, we want to lead by example, and are working to electrify public fleets; and
WHEREAS, Mayors across America have shown leadership through the launch of the Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative, an effort that leverages the buying power of cities to reduce the cost and complexity of vehicle procurement and accelerate the transition of municipal fleets to electric, including deploying charging infrastructure,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that as Mayors we are committed to the transition of all vehicles on our roads to zero emission technologies, and The United States Conference of Mayors urges the Administration and the United States Congress to enhance the Federal EV tax credit, expand incentives to other vehicle classes, and invest in EV infrastructure to ensure the transition occurs on an accelerated time frame.