June 13, 2022

Warren, Hirono, Garamendi Lead Colleagues in Legislation To Electrify Military Vehicle Fleet and Cut Emissions

 DoD is the Largest Institutional Consumer of Petroleum in the World, Responsible for 56% of the Federal Government’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Bill Text (PDF) | One-Pager (PDF)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Angus King (I-Vt.) introduced the Military Vehicle Fleet Electrification Act, which would transition the nontactical fleet of the Department of Defense (DoD) to electric or other zero-emission vehicles. The legislation would require at least 75% of all non-tactical vehicles, such as cars, vans, and light-duty trucks, purchased or leased by DoD or procured or leased by the General Services Agency (GSA) for DoD, to be electric or zero-emission vehicles while applying Buy American and other standards to create good American jobs.

U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives. 

“Transitioning the military’s nontactical fleet of vehicles to electric or other zero-emission vehicles would have a significant impact on the U.S. government’s greenhouse gas emissions. This is an effective solution that helps us tackle the climate crisis and keeps the military ready for the future. I look forward to working with my colleagues to incorporate these provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. 

“Transitioning the Defense Department’s non-combat vehicle fleet to electric and other zero-emissions vehicles is a critical step in reducing our government’s carbon emissions,” said Senator Mazie Hirono. “This legislation will help combat climate change while helping to ensure our military has the advantages of a modern fleet of vehicles that reduces the military’s dependence on oil. I’m grateful for the partnership of Senator Warren, Rep. Garamendi, and our colleagues, and I look forward to working to secure this important provision in this year’s NDAA.”

“We have a responsibility–as a nation and within our military–to make thoughtful purchases that address the climate crisis. Transitioning the military’s enormous fleet of passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and vans with internal combustion engines to American-made electric and zero-emission vehicles is a common-sense way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The United States Postal Service and other federal agencies must also transition to an electric vehicle fleet, and I plan to see the military do the same for non-tactical vehicles. I am thrilled to partner with Senator Warren on this critical legislation,” said Congressman John Garamendi. 

DoD currently has more than 174,00 nontactical vehicles across service branches – the second-largest share of the federal vehicle fleet after the U.S. Postal Service – and is the largest institutional consumer of petroleum in the world. In December 2021, the Biden administration's Federal Sustainability Plan found that 56 percent of the federal government’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from DoD.

The Military Vehicle Fleet Electrification Act: 

  • For FY2023 (Oct. 1, 2022) and thereafter, requires that at least 75% of non-tactical vehicles purchased or leased by DoD be electric or zero-emission vehicles.
  • Requires that all electric/zero-emission vehicles procured by DoD use nonproprietary, interoperable charging ports and connectors, per industry standards.
  • Reinforces the government-wide Buy American Act and other applicable federal procurement laws.
  • Ensures that electric vehicle components (including batteries) are sourced from the USA or allied countries and not foreign countries like the People's Republic of China or Russia.
  • Apply to both direct procurement by DoD and any non-tactical vehicles for which GSA acts as the procurement or leasing agent. 
  • Explicitly states that procurement of nontactical vehicles under this bill be in accordance with DoD-specific Berry Amendment and Specialty Metal Clause.
  • Prohibits any sourcing of electric vehicle components (including batteries) from hostile foreign countries like the People's Republic of China or Russia.
  • Authorizes DoD to let privately operated charging stations at commissaries and exchanges on military installations.
  • Authorizes DoD to use its re-programming authority for unspecified minor military construction projects, which allows DoD to reprogram up to $6 million per project from Congressionally appropriated funds for military construction, to support electric vehicle charging station infrastructure at military installations

The Military Vehicle Fleet Electrification Act is supported by Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) and SAFE’s Commanding Heights Initiative, National Electrical Contractors Association, Natural Resources Defense Council; National Mining Association; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs). 

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