The "COST Act" mandates analyses of the costs and emissions associated with transitioning the federal vehicle fleet to electric and flex-fuel vehicles.
Randy Feenstra
Representative
IA-4
The COST Act mandates a comprehensive cost analysis by the Comptroller General regarding the replacement of gasoline-fueled federal vehicles with electric and flex-fuel vehicles, including infrastructure costs. It also requires the Secretary of Energy to conduct a greenhouse gas emissions analysis comparing conventional gasoline vehicles, E85 flex-fuel vehicles, and battery electric vehicles. Both analyses will be published and reported to specific congressional committees within one year.
COST Act Mandates Government Study on EV vs. E85 Fleet Costs and Emissions Within One Year
This bill, officially the "Comparison of Sustainable Transportation Act" or COST Act, directs key government bodies to conduct detailed analyses comparing electric vehicles (EVs), E85 flex-fuel vehicles, and traditional gasoline cars for the federal fleet. Specifically, it requires the Comptroller General to figure out the full cost—including infrastructure—of swapping the government's light-duty vehicles (cars and small trucks under 8,500 lbs) for EVs versus E85 options. It also tasks the Secretary of Energy with comparing the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of these vehicle types. Both reports are due within a year.
Crunching the Numbers: Fleet Costs Under the Microscope
Section 2 gets down to brass tacks: money. The Comptroller General is ordered to calculate the dollars and cents involved in overhauling the federal government's massive fleet of everyday vehicles. This isn't just about the sticker price of new EVs or flex-fuel cars (which can run on E85, a mix of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). The analysis must also cover the nationwide cost of setting up the necessary charging stations for EVs and potentially the infrastructure needed for wider E85 availability. Think of it as the government doing its homework before potentially making a huge investment with taxpayer dollars.
Emissions Showdown: EV vs. E85 vs. Gas
Beyond the budget, Section 3 focuses on the environmental angle. The Secretary of Energy needs to use a specific scientific model (the GREET model from Argonne National Laboratory) to compare the total greenhouse gas emissions from cradle-to-grave for battery EVs, E85 flex-fuel vehicles, and standard gasoline cars. This 'lifecycle' approach is key because it looks beyond just what comes out of the tailpipe, considering emissions from manufacturing, fuel production (like growing corn for ethanol or generating electricity), and disposal. This aims to provide a clearer picture of the true environmental footprint of each option.
So, What's the Point? Data for Decisions
The whole point of the COST Act seems to be gathering data. Both the cost breakdown and the emissions analysis must be published online and sent directly to key House and Senate committees overseeing science, technology, and transportation (Sec. 2 & 3). Essentially, this bill doesn't mandate a switch to EVs or E85; it orders up the research so policymakers have detailed cost and environmental comparisons before making potentially large-scale decisions about the future of the government's vehicle fleet. The crucial aspect will be ensuring these analyses are objective and comprehensive, as the findings could significantly influence future government spending and environmental strategies.