The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va., is throwing its political weight behind HR 1685, the Electric Drive Vehicle Deployment Act of 2011. Introduced by Representatives Judy Biggert (R-IL), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), HR 1685 implements various incentives and programs to foster adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and EV infrastructure.
HR 1685 extends through 2014 the tax credit for the residential and commercial purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The credit is currently set to expire at the end of this year. The bill expands the tax credit from 30 percent with a cap of $30,000 for businesses and $1,000 for individuals to Recovery Act levels of a 50 percent credit with a cap of $50,000 for businesses and $2,000 for individuals.
In addition to the tax provision, this bill establishes a grant program to identify and demonstrate best practices for incorporating EVs and EV infrastructure into the grid and select communities; bonding authority for EV infrastructure investments; a loan program for manufacturers to reequip their facilities to produce EVSE or EV components; and a program to encourage adoption of EVs by federal fleets.