Eric Burlison U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 7th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Eric Burlison U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 7th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Congressman Eric Burlison and Congresswoman Harriet Hageman have reintroduced the Undoing Nationwide Programs and Limiting Unnecessary Grants for Electric Vehicles (UNPLUG EVs) Act. This legislation aims to rescind funding allocated for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations under President Joe Biden's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The UNPLUG EVs Act is in line with actions taken by the Trump administration to halt the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which was a $5 billion initiative intended to install EV charging stations nationwide.
"Americans deserve the freedom to choose the vehicles they drive without government interference," stated Rep. Burlison. He argued that subsidies increase energy costs, weaken the power grid, and heighten reliance on China's EV supply chain at taxpayers' expense.
Rep. Hageman expressed her support for this legislative move by saying, "Since Biden launched the NEVI and CFI programs in November 2021, billions in taxpayer funds have been wasted propping up the EV industry." She described these initiatives as "a costly, failed experiment in government overreach."
Despite a $7.5 billion investment, only 37 stations with 226 charging ports were completed under NEVI by December 2024. The CFI program added just 84 ports at two stations. This slow progress has resulted in an average cost of approximately $27.9 million per charging port.
Several key points were highlighted:
- A Gallup poll from April 2024 indicated that only 35% of Americans might consider buying an EV, down from 43% in 2023.
- Rabobank reported that EV mandates could increase national electricity demand by between 100 to 185 terawatt-hours by 2030.
- Over 4,000 American car dealers oppose EV mandates according to data from December 2024.
- The Hill noted that EVs have nearly 80% more problems than gas vehicles.
- CBS News reported that only 13% of U.S. adults own or lease an EV due to concerns about charging station availability and time.
The UNPLUG EVs Act intends to withdraw all current funding for NEVI and CFI programs, aiming to prevent further taxpayer support for the electric vehicle industry.
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