Bill introduced with hopes of making Ohio leader in electric vehicle manufacturing
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio lawmakers and executive vehicle manufacturers believe there is an automotive renaissance sprouting across the world and they want the buckeye state to be the industry leader.
State Senator Michael Rulli (R-Salem) announced his plan develop high tech electric vehicles at an event on Wednesday. He expected that the idea could steer Ohio into the next generation of automotive manufacturing. It's called the Accelerating Ohio’s Auto Industry bill. Rulli thought the bill would send a clear message that Ohio is all in on clean energy and electric vehicles.
Rulli said that Ohio is going to create what he called an EV task force. The force would spark innovation in electric vehicle manufacturing.
"It's a blue print that strives to be a creative process," he said.
The federal government has already put money aside to fund the electric vehicle industry. Ohio lawmakers and auto CEO's know they won't get all of that cash, but the introduction of Rulli's bill and the task force makes them think they can get a hefty portion.
Automakers will invest $330 billion by 2025 to transition to electric vehicles. Ohio Chamber of Commerce President Steve Stivers thought Wednesday's announcement would draw investments vehicle manufactures to be spent in the state.
"We're not going to get all $330 billion here in Ohio," Stivers said. "But we want to make sure we get every bit we can."
The state is already prepared to spend large amounts of money to jumpstart the industry. Lawmakers said the bill would put $10 million into work related costs like re-educating workers on the electric vehicle assembly process. An additional $15 million would be spent on necessary factory retooling that would supply existing plants with the technology need to create electric vehicles.
The speakers at the event believed there was a global rush to advance on electric vehicle development. They said there is a race to save the 5% of jobs that are related to the automotive industry in Ohio.
John Walsh is CEO of Endera, an electric vehicle manufacturer based in Ohio. He said the automotive world is changing rapidly, and he wants jobs in Ohio to be created by the electric vehicle industry.
The bill would also benefit electric vehicle buyers, the speakers said.
Electric vehicles are sales tax exempt. Speakers said the bill would give consumers a $2,000 tax incentive for buying a new electric vehicle and a $1,000 incentive for purchasing used electric vehicles. The presenters said that is a policy which they didn't believe other states had.
Some auto companies have tax incentives that they will give buyers who purchase their company's vehicles too.
Chamber President Stivers also addressed questions about consumer tax rates. He explained that electric vehicles don't need gas refilling so drivers don't pay a fuel tax.
"You don't pay a tax every time you recharge," Stivers said.
There was a major agreement between the speakers. They said Ohio has an historic strength in the auto industry and they think the electric vehicle market is the right way to grow and protect it.
Among environmental concerns, the speakers said the government would need to spend less money on natural gas and fuel if Ohio becomes a nationwide leader in the electric vehicle market. They said clean fuel would benefit the state's economy and environment.
"There are some states that aren't even analyzing EV's," said Rulli. "The door has been opened. We welcome all of the renewables of the earth to come to Ohio."
The bill was introduced at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
