IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 15, 2025
New report finds federal clean transportation investments create jobs, save families money on fuel and medical costs
With funding set to expire, gains for red and blue states are at risk without Congressional action
Washington, D.C. — Today, Coalition Helping America Rebuild and Go Electric (CHARGE) and Atlas Public Policy released the new report, Clean Transportation Works: An Analysis of U.S. Investments, showing how clean transportation programs worth billions are cutting costs, creating good-paying jobs, and protecting public health. Cumulatively, the report finds that Federal clean transportation programs have supported $4.6 billion in investments and 14,400 jobs in domestic manufacturing. Data like this shows legislators the potential impact of failing to extend these programs, for which funding is set to expire in 2026.
“From charging stations to electric school buses, these investments are already saving families money and boosting local economies in red and blue states alike,” said Bridget Sanderson, administrator for CHARGE. “Every dollar Congress puts into clean transportation multiplies into local jobs, healthier air, and more affordable travel. Lawmakers who want to make America great again can trust these programs to deliver real benefits to Americans across the U.S.”
Report Highlights:
Charging Infrastructure: By early 2025, states had obligated $526 million for nearly 4,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports at 990 locations, with nearly 60% of major highway corridors now covered by fast-charging stations.
Clean Freight: New federal programs have already funded more than 2,000 zero-emission freight trucks and spurred $4.2 billion in private investment in truck manufacturing, supporting over 8,500 jobs.
Public Transportation: Federal investments have supported the purchase of over 4,600 zero- and low-emission transit buses and more than 200 bus facilities, while the EPA Clean School Bus Program is replacing 8,500 diesel school buses, saving an estimated $15–20 million annually in health costs.
Active Transportation and Micromobility: New federal programs like Safe Streets and Roads for All and Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program are reconnecting communities, reducing traffic deaths, and boosting local economies—though demand far outstripped available funding, with some programs oversubscribed by as much as 40-to-1.
“Our analysis shows that federal investments are paying off—creating jobs, cutting costs for families, and cleaning the air,” said Tina Hodges, Atlas Policy Senior Policy Analyst, Clean Transportation, and the lead author for the report. “Continuing the momentum requires sustained support. Otherwise, Americans miss out on benefits, and the industry falls behind in the global clean transportation race.”
After examining eight different clean transportation funding streams across four different assessments, the report concludes with a summary of lessons learned to improve program implementation across utility providers, federal, state, and local governments. For example, at the federal level, streamlined administrative processes and simplified application requirements can ensure investments are quickly rolled out to communities that need them the most.
“This report proves what we’ve known all along: public transportation, walking, biking, and clean vehicles are essential to a safe, accessible, and world-class transportation system,” said Steve Davis, Director of Transportation for America. “If Congress fails to prioritize these policies and investments in the next reauthorization, it will cost Americans' safety, jobs, money, and mobility. Congress must continue to deliver on these commitments for our communities.”
WHAT DO CHARGE MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY?
CHARGE’s diverse membership of EV industry leaders, consumer groups, public health organizations, and business entities calls on Congress to reauthorize billions in clean transportation investments before they expire in 2026, ensuring that communities in every state continue to benefit from safer, cheaper, and cleaner ways to get where they need to go. See statements from members below:
Ingrid Malmgren, Senior Policy Director, Plug in America
“The latest report from CHARGE and Atlas shows that, nationally, clean transportation is making a difference. Billions of dollars in federal transportation investments have catalyzed projects and programs that improve mobility while reducing pollution, accelerating innovation, and creating jobs. Clean, electric transportation is technologically feasible for passenger vehicles, commercial fleets, transit, and micro-mobility. It saves taxpayers money on fuel while protecting public health. Reauthorizing programs to expand EV Infrastructure and electric transit, while supporting active transportation and micromobility initiatives, provides Americans with more freedom in their travel choices, saves families money, and makes communities safer and stronger.”
Ben Prochazka, Executive Director, Electrification Coalition
“Virtually nothing should unite Americans more than investing in efficient, modern, domestic energy and transportation manufacturing and infrastructure — all of which will both make the US more energy secure and reduce our dependence on highly volatile oil markets. CHARGE and Atlas’ Clean Transportation Works report outlines a commonsense approach to transportation policy that protects U.S. national security while improving people’s daily lives: creating good, American jobs by investing in the deployment of abundant and affordable transportation electrification technology, such as trucks, buses, and fleet vehicles.”
Liya Rechtman, Senior Transportation Policy Lead, Evergreen Action
“Americans need affordable, convenient ways to get around to get to work, school, and connect with their communities—whether it’s sidewalks, bike lanes, or reliable public transit. Investments in clean transportation save families money, boost local economies, create jobs, and strengthen American manufacturing, all while cutting tailpipe pollution and reducing the enormous carbon footprint of our highways. Lawmakers must act now to protect and expand these investments so every community can benefit from safer, healthier, and more affordable transportation options.”
Cat Plein, Director of Programs and Policy at Forth
“Communities know best where EV charging will succeed—they’ve done the work, secured funding, and are ready to build. This report shows that the federal government must keep its promises and follow through. Installing EV infrastructure gives people a real choice to drive electric while boosting local economies and delivering the cleaner, more affordable transportation options people want.”
Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, Policy Advisor, GreenLatinos
“This data makes clear what we already know—clean transportation investments are working. They cut pollution in communities of color and other overburdened neighborhoods, saving lives, and help make transportation less costly for families. For Latinos, who suffer disproportionately from pollution impacts, such investments are essential to improving health outcomes and quality of life. Congress must reauthorize these programs so progress doesn’t stall. We all deserve clean air and affordable transportation.”
Sue Gander, Director, US Transportation, World Resources Institute
“All children deserve a healthy ride to school that is free from the dangers of diesel exhaust pollution. The widely popular Clean School Bus Program is delivering clean, quiet rides and cost savings to schools around the country and in all types of communities: rural and urban, large and small. The CHARGE Clean Transportation Works Report makes clear how reauthorizing the Clean School Bus Program will help meet the growing demand of school districts to electrify their fleets and support jobs in communities across the country.”
Lauren Weston, Executive Director, Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet
“The Acterra EV Charging for All Coalition focuses on equity issues within the clean transportation transition. The CHARGE and Atlas report details the impact of successful investment in infrastructure programs like NEVI and CFI, creating over 14,000 jobs in domestic manufacturing and saving millions in community healthcare through cleaner air from clean freight and cars. Failing to continue funding critical clean transportation will strand assets, kill jobs, make people sicker and slow the growth of an emerging economic sector. We call on legislators who value smart local investment in their communities to say yes to success and reauthorize these programs.”
Christoph Wolff, CEO, Smart Freight Centre
“Zero-emission freight is essential for both climate progress and economic competitiveness. Smarter, cleaner freight systems strengthen supply chains, cut costs, and ensure American businesses remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Reauthorizing these programs is essential to protect American economic interests.”
Katherine García, Clean Transportation for All Campaign Director, Sierra Club
“Access to reliable and sustainable transportation isn’t just about getting around—it’s also about protecting our health and our environment. The transportation sector is still the number one source of pollution in the U.S. Legislators must reauthorize these programs to ensure all Americans can breathe cleaner air and thrive in a livable climate.”
Alan Hejl, Founder & Lead Consultant, Spark Access
"When we invest in clean infrastructure and electric vehicles, we're supporting the safety and health of our communities. By decarbonizing our vehicles, homes, and neighborhoods, we're not only supporting a competitive wave of innovation and creating jobs for new technologies that improve automatic safety, we're also actively supporting people with disabilities living more active and healthier lives without fear of harm from dangerous emissions."
Trisha Dello Iacono, Head of Policy, CALSTART
“Federal funding can be an effective catalyst for domestic manufacturing and ultimately good-paying American jobs. This timely report is a powerful reminder that we cannot halt industry progress when thousands of jobs are on the line. Policymakers must choose to prioritize local economies and a rapidly growing workforce building low- and no-emission vehicles and infrastructure."
Sam Herr, Executive Director, North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association
“CHARGE’s Clean Transportation Works report reinforces that investing in active transportation creates freedom, safety, and economic opportunity in our communities. The report underscores the need for more federal investment in shared micromobility and walking, biking, and micromobility infrastructure.”
Susan Mudd, Senior Policy Advocate, Environmental Law and Policy Center
“Clean public transportation programs cut health costs and protect kids. The Clean School Bus Program is already replacing 8,500 buses in school districts across all 50 states. Electric school buses reduce kids’ exposure to harmful, smelly tailpipe pollution, and the quieter ride gets them to school calmer, ready to learn. New research shows that people in every state analyzed would experience positive benefits from using electric school buses, and we’d see an estimated $1.6 billion in health and climate benefits every year.”
Rachel Aland, Transportation Director, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
“Every dollar invested in clean transportation strengthens our economy, making it more efficient to move goods and people, lowering costs for families and businesses, and creating good jobs. By modernizing freight systems and expanding affordable transportation options, we can keep goods and people moving and grow America’s manufacturing future.”