Lawmakers Say Federal EV Order Harms Domestic Energy Producers

Texas Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy wrote a letter to President Joe Biden this week, voicing his opposition for the president's recent executive order to electrify the federal government's fleet. News outlets report more than 50 lawmakers who support the ethanol and petroleum industries joined Roy's effort.

In his letter, Roy claimed the order harms "our domestic energy producers and bolster[s] our enemies."

Biden's order requires federal agencies to procure 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Roy wrote that the policy will make the federal government dependent on China, threaten American energy production, and harm the environment.

“The U.S. produces more oil than any other nation in the world, and almost all of the gasoline that is consumed in the U.S. is produced domestically. It is imperative that the federal fleet is powered by fuel that is produced in America, not Chinese-manufactured batteries,” Roy's letter said.

Meantime, CEOs for nearly a dozen OEMs joined Biden at the White House this week to talk about how the president's social infrastructure bill would help their businesses and the economy. According to The Detroit News, GM CEO Mary Barra said the industry needs the provisions in the bill. One piece of the legislation would uncap EV credits.

CEOs also pushed a piece of legislation that would provide more than $50 billion in domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing. The legislation has been pending in Congress for more than eight months.