In a bid to combat climate change, the White House has recently issued new guidelines, urging federal government employees to prioritize the use of electric vehicles (EVs), trains, and public transportation for official business.
This move is seen as a fulfillment of President Biden's promise to "lead by example" in addressing climate change.
The federal government, with its annual business travel purchasing power of $2.8 billion and status as the nation's largest employer, is well-positioned to drive this change. Last year, government employees on official business undertook more than 2.8 million flights, rented 2.3 million vehicles, and took 33,000 rail trips.
"These operational changes will accelerate the clean transportation transformation, increase good-paying union jobs and create healthier communities," the White House announced in a statement on Thursday.
The Federal Sustainability Plan, initiated by President Biden, aims to achieve net-zero emissions from overall Federal operations by 2050, with an interim goal of a 65 percent emissions reduction by 2030. The new travel guidelines for Federal employees are a step towards this goal, directing Federal agencies to prioritize sustainable transportation for official and local travel, both domestically and internationally.
Under the new guidelines, government employees are required to rent an EV for official travel when the cost of the EV is less than or equal to the most affordable comparable gas-powered vehicle available. They are also encouraged to use EVs for taxis and ride-share platforms when cost-competitive. For trips requiring less than 250 miles of travel, employees are directed to use rail instead of driving or flying. For local travel, the use of public transportation is mandated, including travel upon arrival at an offsite location.
"This will save taxpayer money and reduce pollution that jeopardizes peoples health and fuels the climate crisis," the White House stated.
In support of this initiative, rental car and ride-share companies have made commitments to help the government achieve its goals. Hertz, for instance, has pledged to "substantially increase" EV rentals for corporate travelers next year, while Uber is expanding its "green curb at airports" program, offering riders incentives to choose greener options.
California's state government has also pledged to issue similar guidance within the next six months, encouraging its employees to opt for EV options when on official travel.
President Biden, shortly after taking office in 2021, set a goal of ensuring 50% of total domestic vehicle purchases are electric by 2030. This goal was applauded by green energy industry groups and climate advocates. Since then, the administration has pursued various regulations that incentivize manufacturers to produce more zero-carbon options and consumers to transition to these options.
In April, the EPA proposed the most aggressive federal tailpipe emissions rules on light- and medium-duty emissions ever crafted. If finalized and implemented, 67% of new sedan, crossover, SUV and light truck purchases, up to 50% of bus and garbage truck purchases, 35% of short-haul freight tractor purchases and 25% of long-haul freight tractor purchases could be electric by 2032, the White House projected.
In July, the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued its most aggressive fuel economy standards ever, a move critics argue would increase consumer costs.
"Were transforming clean energy development thats [creating] good-paying jobs, including union jobs, in all of America," Biden remarked last month. "Weve already attracted over half a tri- weve attracted half a trillion dollars a half of trillion dollars in private sector investment for my Investing in America agenda in clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Were just getting and were just getting started. And we really are. Were just getting started."
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