Romney, Burr bill sets plan for recycling federal fleet EV batteries

A new bipartisan bill unveiled by U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Richard Burr (R-NC) would ensure that United States government agencies properly use and recycle batteries from the federal fleet of electric vehicles (EVs).

“As the federal government’s electric vehicle fleet continues to grow, it must also ensure it has a coordinated strategy for optimal battery longevity,” Sen. Romney said. “This common-sense legislation will ensure agencies are doing just that, as well as publishing guidelines for the reuse and recycling of retired vehicle batteries.”

The senators on April 7 signed on as original cosponsors of the Strategic EV Management Act of 2022, S. 4057, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) to require the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to coordinate with federal agency leaders to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for managing batteries in the federal EV fleet.

“The federal government should lead by example, and the more cost-efficient we are in this space, the less dependent we will be on foreign suppliers,” added Sen. Romney.

The plan under S. 4057 would include guidance, written with input from experts at the U.S. Department of Energy, containing best practices to maximize the battery longevity for federal EV vehicles, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers, and would require OMB and the GSA to submit a report to Congress and to brief Congress on the implementation of the strategic plan three years after the bill’s enactment.

“As more and more electrical vehicles hit the road, it’s critical that the federal government has a comprehensive strategy to not only manage its own electric fleet, but also be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars,” Sen. Burr said. “This legislation will do just that by promoting optimal charging practices to maximize battery longevity, decreasing reliance on foreign supply chains, and supporting American innovation. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this bipartisan bill.”

The bill is supported by the American Automotive Policy Council, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, Ford Motor Co., General Motors, Stellantis North America, the National Resources Defense Council, and the Michigan Environmental Council.

The bill is under consideration in the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.