In a 50-48 vote, the Senate has rejected President Biden’s decision to waive some “Buy America” requirements for government-funded electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This move has garnered attention and criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, as it has significant implications for the future of EV infrastructure in the United States.
Several Democrats, including Sens. Sherrod Brown, Joe Manchin, Jon Tester, and Kyrsten Sinema, joined Republicans in voting for the Republican bill that seeks to rescind Biden’s waiver. The White House has already expressed its intention to veto the bill. The waiver would also eliminate a requirement that EV chargers paid for by the bipartisan infrastructure law be made in America, which the White House argues would harm domestic manufacturing and American jobs.
The approval of $7.5 billion in funding for EV charging stations was a crucial step towards achieving Biden’s ambitious goal of having half of all new car sales be EVs by 2030. However, the installation of new EV chargers has been slow-going, prompting the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to waive some “Buy America” requirements until July 2024 to expedite the process.
Republicans responded to the waiver by introducing the bill to rescind it, claiming that most of the parts for EV chargers would be purchased from China. The White House countered by pointing to a 1983 Reagan administration decision that exempted manufactured products from “Buy America” rules and argued that the GOP bill would leave EV chargers uncovered by these requirements.
Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida, challenged the White House’s argument, suggesting that the administration could separately rescind the 1983 decision at any time. He expressed concerns that waiving the “Buy America” requirements for EV chargers would result in government funds going to Chinese companies instead.
The bipartisan infrastructure law mandates that EV chargers obtain at least 55% of construction materials, including iron and steel, from domestic sources and U.S. manufacturers. These rules are set to go into effect in July 2024, and EV chargers produced by that time can receive funding if installation begins by October 2024.
However, U.S. states and companies have warned that the global demand for EV chargers is straining the supply chain, making it challenging to meet the made-in-America standards and expedite the construction of new chargers. The requirement for iron and steel in crucial parts of EV chargers, such as the internal structural frame, heating and cooling fans, and power transformers, further adds to the complexity and cost.
Overall, the Senate’s rejection of Biden’s waiver for the “Buy America” requirement on EV charging stations has sparked a debate about the future of EV infrastructure in the United States. While Republicans argue for stricter regulations to prioritize domestic manufacturing, Democrats and the White House emphasize the need for flexibility to meet the growing demand for EV chargers. The outcome of this debate will have significant implications for the development of sustainable transportation in the country.
