Virginia Democrat introduces tax credit for electric commercial vehicles

Legislation introduced by Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) would provide tax credits for zero-emission commercial vehicles.

Thirty percent of commercial vehicles, such as delivery vans and heavy trucks, would receive a tax credit under the Green Vehicle Adoption Nationwide Act, according to Beyer’s office. The Virginia Democrat said in a statement that the measure will likely be introduced as part of a broader electric vehicle tax incentive package.

Reached for comment, Beyer’s office said the plan was expected to be part of Rep. Mike Thompson’s (D-Calif.) Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now Act but that it had not yet established a timeline for the House Ways and Means Committee to release text.

“Commercial vehicles remain a significant source of emissions and electrification in the sector lags far behind personal vehicles. By using tax policy to promote the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, we can greatly reduce emissions from working vehicles ranging from plumbers’ vans to tractor trailers,” Beyer said in a statement. “This approach would also spur innovation and development in the marketplace by increasing the demand for larger electric vehicles, a key step forward towards a greener economy.”

In an August “Dear Colleague” letter, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) projected that the two infrastructure bills before the Senate would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030. The projected reduction included 41.9 percent clean energy tax incentives and 15.7 percent clean vehicle incentives, according to a breakdown released by Schumer’s office.

Meanwhile, in August, a group of more than two dozen House Democrats, led by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), argued the bipartisan infrastructure bill does not make sufficient investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, calling for increased funding for charging infrastructure and incentives.

“Robust funding for transportation electrification will be essential to support a cleaner economy, meet our Paris Climate Agreement National Determined Contributions (NDC) decarbonization goals, and address transportation pollution that has historically harmed frontline communities,” the group wrote.