US President Joe Biden signed a decree on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 that will have a major impact on the energy transition in his country. The decree prohibits the purchase of combustion engine vehicles by the US government from 2035. This measure fits in with Biden’s climate plan, but has no impact on the ordinary motorist.
50,000 vehicles per year
At present, the government fleet consists of about 650,000 vehicles, which are refreshed at regular intervals. The US government purchases about 50,000 new units of rolling stock each year. From 2035 they will become mandatory electric, and this will apply to normal cars from 2027. An exception is made for certain vehicles intended for the military or aerospace.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration also wants to release $7 billion for the construction of charging infrastructure and the production of green electricity.
-65% emissions
With this plan, the US already aims to reduce CO2 emissions by the government by 65%. An ambitious objective, all the more so because the vehicles involved must also be supplied with green energy by 2030, and must be completely emission-free by 2050 from the moment of construction.
In 2020, the US government spent $4.2 billion (3.7 billion euros) on the purchase and maintenance of its fleet. The fuel cost then amounted to 730 million dollars (645 million euros).
#government #drive #electric