Congress members who switched to electric vehicles.
Members of Congress Embrace Electric Vehicles, but Remain Divided on Biden’s Efforts
More than two dozen House and Senate lawmakers have joined the electric vehicle revolution, including two Republicans who oppose President Joe Biden’s energy and climate policies, according to a tally released by Politico. This count excludes those who drive hybrids or are considering purchasing a plug-in vehicle.
“One of the reasons I got it is in a zombie apocalypse; I can still drive around. I’ve got my own refinery on my roof basically,” said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a longtime Tesla owner who takes credit for having the first electric charging stations installed at the Capitol, referring to his solar panels.
He added, “I can charge the car even if the zombies have taken over the refineries. It’s part of being self-sufficient.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a progressive superstar, also drives a Tesla but is considering switching to a brand that supports unionized labor.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is contemplating getting a Tesla, citing his daughters’ admiration for the vehicles and Elon Musk’s decision to relocate the company’s headquarters to Texas.
Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX), who chairs the House Oversight and Accountability Committee’s regulatory subcommittee and staunchly opposes the administration’s climate efforts, recently revealed that he owns a Tesla while criticizing an Environmental Protection Agency rule. The rule aims to limit smog, soot, and carbon from cars and trucks starting in 2027. The agency believes this proposal could significantly boost EV sales.
“Electric vehicles make sense for many Americans — in fact, my family owns one,” he posted on X, formerly called Twitter. “But it makes NO sense for the EPA to force Americans to buy them.”
While the number of lawmakers adopting electric vehicles has grown, the majority of Congress still drives gas-powered cars. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, praised the experience of driving a Tesla but mentioned that he wouldn’t purchase one due to the limited availability of charging stations in his rural area.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), a prominent progressive, drives Toyota and Ford hybrids, while Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) also drives a hybrid.
Despite the increase in electric vehicle purchases on Capitol Hill, the partisan divide over Biden’s EV policies persists. Republicans argue that the tax incentives proposed by Democrats make all car purchases more expensive. Former President Donald Trump has criticized the push for “expensive electric cars.”
“Joe Biden is waging war on the U.S. auto industry with a series of crippling mandates designed to force Americans into expensive electric cars — that’s just what he wants — even as thousands of electric cars are piling up on car lots all unsold,” Trump said in a video, referring to a recent analysis by Cox Automotive. The analysis revealed a more than 300% increase in EV supplies at dealerships over the past year.
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