Recent Federal Actions
This list includes recent federal actions, such as Federal Register notices and rulemaking actions, agency directives or agency communications, that are all publicly available. These actions relate to alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel blends, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction and fuel economy measures. When rulemakings are finalized, they will move to the list of Federal Laws and Incentives.
The Charging Helps Agencies Realize General Efficiencies (CHARGE) Act requires the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to issue guidance by March 30, 2021, clarifying that each federal agency may charge EVs at commercial EV charging stations, and that they may pay for the transaction with a charge card. The GSA must issue by the same date a charge card to each federal agency and for each EV for this purpose. A “charge card” includes, among other options, a card issued under the GSA SmartPay program and a Fleet Services card.
For more information, refer to the CHARGE Act.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized “The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years (MYs) 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.” Per this rule, NHTSA and EPA adopted and modified nationwide standards regulating corporate average fuel economy (CAFE), tailpipe carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and use of other air conditioning refrigerants for passenger cars and light trucks for MYs 2021-2026. The final rule established CAFE and CO2 emissions standards that increase in stringency at 1.5% per year from MY 2020 levels over MYs 2021-2026.
For more information, refer to the final rule and EPA's SAFE Vehicles Final Rule website.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make up to $100 million in competitive grants available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Grants will be available to fueling and distribution facilities to install, retrofit, or upgrade fuel storage, dispenser pumps, infrastructure, and related equipment to convert to higher ethanol and biodiesel blends. The USDA plans to publish application deadlines and other program information in the Federal Register in the near future.
For more information, refer to the notice and USDA’s HBIIP website.