Electrification reaches US grassroots as 350 mayors pledge 50 percent EV fleets by 2030

The electrification of America's transportation system has reached the grassroots.

Nearly 350 mayors across the country have pledged to electrify at least half their municipal transportation fleets by 2030, while also increasing the number of electric vehicle chargers in their jurisdictions to six times as many from now. At least 40 percent of the EV charging infrastructure will be located such that it will benefit disadvantaged communities, the mayors pledged.

The announcement --- which can be seen as a major market signal to EV manufacturers across the US --- is aimed at supporting the US government's plan to achieve 50 percent electric vehicle sales by 2030.

Justin Bibb, Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, and chair of the grouping, known as "Climate Mayors", said: "Transportation accounts for tonnes of toxic emissions and it's up to us to lead by example by prioritizing clean technologies. There's power in numbers, and together we can energize the local green economy while prioritizing access for Black and brown communities through the Climate Mayors commitment."

Transportation is the US's single largest source of carbon pollution; the sector accounts for some 29 percent of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning to EVs therefore has the potential to rapidly decrease national emissions, the mayors said.

"Transitioning to municipal fleets to EVs and expanding public charging infrastructure, cities can decrease harmful pollution from internal combustion engine vehicles, create green jobs, save taxpayer money, reduce the country's dependence on fossil fuels, and foster an environment that encourages consumer choice for electrification beyond municipal fleets," is how the group's statement listed their ambitions.

Climate Mayors said the group would work with its member cities to "accelerate municipal fleet electrification and charging infrastructure by providing policy, technical, and analytical resources".

The group will help develop and formulate formal partnerships between EV manufacturers and clean financing institutions funded by the US Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to bridge the gap between private capital and municipal funding needs to electrify their transportation sector.

The announcement came in for praise from the US government. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg commented: "This announcement by nearly 350 mayors to electrify at least 50 percent of their fleet and increase the number of EV chargers by 500 percent will deliver a range of benefits: cost savings for residents, cleaner air, and a lot of good jobs."

Gina McCarthy, the first White House National Climate Advisor and a former administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency commented: "These mayors are driving change in their communities by getting creative with historic federal funding and designing smart policies and new partnerships. By committing to switch to clean energy – they're investing in public infrastructure, cutting harmful tailpipe emissions, growing jobs, and improving the health and safety of their residents. They're delivering what people want and deserve: safe streets, less pollution, and more resilient cities."