Congressman John Garamendi, chairman of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, has introduced the “Military Vehicle Fleet Electrification Act” (H.R.7379), with Representatives Jimmy Gomez and Debbie Dingell. The bill would be first legislation ever introduced in Congress to require not less than 75% of the total number of nontactical vehicles purchased or leased by or for the use of the Department of Defense to be all-electric or zero-emission.

This includes all future non-tactical vehicles purchased and leased for the Department of Defense, such as passenger cars, vans, or light-duty trucks. It would not apply to vehicles used in combat or warzones, like Humvees. The bill includes domestic sourcing requirements for batteries and other components, and must meet “Buy American” requirements. EVs purchased or leased for the U.S. military must also employ interoperable charging ports and connectors. 

The bill would apply to both direct procurement by the U.S. Department of Defense and any non-tactical vehicles for which the General Services Administration acts as the procurement or leasing agent, on behalf of the Department of Defense, according to Lake County News.

The full text of the bill can be read here.