Executive Directors of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Monte Shaw, and the Iowa Biodiesel Board, Grant Kimberley, joined forces asking Iowa candidates running for federal offices to oppose current electric vehicle (EV) legislation. In a letter to all candidates, Shaw and Kimberley write that the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2020, which was introduced earlier this week to some U.S. senators and representatives would restrict the sale of passenger vehicles utilizing biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, by 2025. It would then ban their sale completely by 2035. What alarmed both of the leaders in the industry, is that the bill was co-sponsored by some senators who campaigned as biofuels advocates during the caucuses. Passing of this legislation would be a “hammer blow to Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel producers and would crush a vital market for Iowa farmers.” Currently, more than half of Iowa’s corn crop goes to ethanol production and over one-third of soybean oil to biodiesel production. According to Shaw and Kimberley, the bill could trigger another farm crisis. They write, “Further, banning the sale of biofuel-powered vehicles is a flawed approach to combating climate change. While electric vehicles will certainly play an increasing role in meeting our nation’s transportation needs, it is a fallacy to consider them ‘zero-emission.’ In fact, studies have shown that in some parts of the country, a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV), running on E85 has a lower carbon footprint than an EV that was charged using electricity generated by coal.” The best way forward, they suggest, is to set reduction targets and let the fuel and vehicle market decide how to achieve the goals. They are urging the candidates to oppose any legislation, including this bill, that is not technology neutral.
