Hope to effect policy change?

Multiply your efforts by forming effective partnerships.

By John Higham, Legislative Policy Lead and Board Member, Electric Auto Association

While the Electric Auto Association is precluded from “substantial lobbying” efforts due to its 501(c)3 nonprofit status, members of the organization’s Board of Directors certainly do take part in these activities as individuals. We all know that one important way to accelerate the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) is through public policy that encourages EV adoption and supporting EV charging infrastructure.

But how best to do that? Many of us have found that forming partnerships with other organizations is the best way forward, and one such partner is the EV Drive Coalition.

A lobbying group made up of both nonprofit and for-profit companies, such as Tesla and General Motors, the EV Drive Coalition is free of 501(c)3 lobbying limitations. It was initially formed to lobby Congress to extend the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit beyond the $200,000 car limit allocated in IRS Section 30D, and while that is still a primary objective, the charter has broadened to "... ensure American global leadership in the electric vehicle space through smart policymaking. A robust electric vehicle U.S. market will create jobs, reduce the impacts of climate change, clean up our air and lungs, and increase our national security."

The EV Drive Coalition recognizes the polarized political landscape and that climate change can be, unfortunately, a political third rail.  Simply put, the organization’s message has evolved into one that evangelizes the idea of inclusion to lawmakers; jobs and energy independence is something everyone can agree on.  The fact that EV's are "green" is merely a happy coincidence.

In future blog posts, we will introduce other potential partner organizations.  We will also discuss specific policy agendas needed to truly move the needle to a broad base of new EV owners.