A bipartisan push is under way in Congress to extend through this year certain tax credits that promote the adoption of alternatively powered vehicles.
The EV Drive Coalition, which formed with a stated goal to reform the federal electric vehicle tax credit, announced its official launch as the U.S. Congress convenes for its lame duck session.
A bill that would terminate the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles was introduced by U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the Environment and Public Works committee.
Congressional negotiators will spare a $7,500 federal tax credit that has supported sales of plug-in electric vehicles, which was put in place in 2008 and 2009 for plug-in and converted plug-in electric vehicles.
A $7,500 federal tax credit that has fueled sales of plug-in electric vehicles in recent years could be eliminated if House Republicans can include the proposal in the tax cut bill now under discussion, reports Reuters.
A large group representing manufacturers, transportation associations, and clean air and health advocates sent a letter to the House of Representatives opposing a proposed amendment to the House Interior-EPA appropriations bill that would remove all funding for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 will extend federal tax credits for alternative fuels that expired in 2014 and make some subsidies permanent.
Michael Horn, Volkswagen's president and CEO in the U.S., apologized to members of the U.S. Congress on Oct. 8 for selling cars that included a software cheat designed to defeat federal diesel emissions testing.
A bipartisan group of 36 U.S. Senators has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase biodiesel production in the pending Renewable Fuel Standard for 2016 and 2017.
The amendment's underlying bill was pulled from further consideration when it became snarled in an unrelated controversy over the Confederate flag.