Homeland Security Bill Hits EV Funding

So, what would you have: more money for disaster relief, or more money to be used for the development of advanced technologies for the vehicles of the future? The answer to this question, at least from the government point of view, can be found in the new Homeland Security Bill.

Earlier this week, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the Homeland Security Bill that sends $1 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster relief fund. That money, or at least most of it, will be redirected from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program. Simply put, the US chose disaster relief over EVs this year.

The decision of the Committee didn't sit well with the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), who released a statement advocating the necessity of having billions of dollars ready to be pored into the automotive industry.

"The Department of Energy loan program plays an essential role in helping manufacturers build advanced fuel-efficient vehicles and components in the U.S. The program is already creating jobs in the U.S. manufacturing sector and is vital to ending U.S. dependence on foreign oil and boosting the domestic economy,” said EDTA president Brian Wynne.

"The House FY12 Homeland Security Appropriations bill contains a provision that would undermine this important and effective program. While we agree that providing disaster assistance is a moral and national imperative, the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program is accelerating advanced vehicle production and adoption, which benefits consumers, workers, and the nation. We should not gut one worthy program to offset another.”