WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Mitt Romney (R-UT), Richard Burr (R-NC), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) to ensure government agencies are properly using and recycling batteries from the federal fleet of electric vehicles has passed the Senate.
Properly recycling EV batteries can help recover valuable minerals like cobalt that are essential to the production of these batteries, but are often sourced from entities with ties to foreign adversaries like the Chinese government. Additionally, batteries that are no longer efficient enough for vehicles can still be used to store energy for other uses.
The senators’ legislation will help the federal government provide American manufacturers with a domestic supply of reusable EV batteries and the rare metals needed to make them, while reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign suppliers for these limited, but critical resources. The Strategic EV Management Act would also create agency guidance to maximize battery longevity when operating electric vehicles – which are more cost-effective and energy-efficient in the long run. The legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Tom Carper (D-DE).
“Electric vehicles are the future of the American automotive industry, and increasing the domestic supply of electric vehicles batteries and rare materials will strengthen our supply chains and improve our global competitiveness,” said Senator Peters. “Now that this bill has passed the Senate – I urge my colleagues in the House to pass it as soon as possible so we can save taxpayer dollars, and reduce our dependence on foreign sources for critical supplies.”
“As the federal government’s electric vehicle fleet continues to grow, it must also ensure it has a coordinated strategy for optimal battery longevity. This common-sense legislation will ensure agencies are doing just that, as well as publishing guidelines for the reuse and recycling of retired vehicle batteries,” said Senator Romney. “The federal government should lead by example, and the more cost-efficient we are in this space, the less dependent we will be on foreign suppliers.”
“As more and more electrical vehicles hit the road, it’s critical that the federal government has a comprehensive strategy to not only manage its own electric fleet, but also be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars,” said Senator Burr. “This legislation will do just that by promoting optimal charging practices to maximize battery longevity, decreasing reliance on foreign supply chains, and supporting American innovation. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this bipartisan bill.”
“As the federal government continues to acquire electric vehicles, it is paramount that our agencies are equipped to optimize the management of the growing fleet,” said Senator Hagerty.“This bipartisan legislation, which I am pleased to see pass the Senate, will ensure agency leadership can successfully reap the full economic benefits of EV investments, properly manage taxpayer assets, and do so in a manner that lessens our dependence on Communist China.”
The Strategic EV Management Act would require the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to coordinate with the heads of agencies to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for management of batteries in the federal EV fleet. The plan will include guidance, written with input from experts at the Department of Energy, on how federal agencies can appropriately reuse and recycle retired vehicle batteries. The legislation requires the guidance to include best practices to maximize battery longevity for federal EV vehicles. Finally, three years after bill enactment, OMB and GSA would be required to submit a report to and brief Congress on the implementation of the strategic plan.
According to the GSA, the number of EVs in the federal vehicle fleet has substantially increased in recent years. While the batteries from these EVs may not be efficient enough for vehicles after ten years or more years of use – they can still be recycled or reused for other purposes. Additionally, the recycling process for EV batteries can recover 95 percent of the critical minerals and metals that are needed to manufacture them. As the federal EV fleet continues to grow, this bipartisan legislation will help formulate a strategy for reusing and recycling old batteries from the federal vehicle fleet to maximize the full potential of their economic, environmental and strategic benefits.
The legislation is supported by the American Automotive Policy Council, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Stellantis, National Resources Defense Council, and the Michigan Environmental Council.
