WASHINGTON — Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are scrutinizing how the Biden administration handles new incentives for buying electric vehicles with the first formal guidance on which cars qualify for subsidies expected this week.
Senators who tossed critical support behind tax credits that can knock up to $7,500 off the price tag of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles have seized on budget hearings this month to press for their views on implementation.
Sen. Joe Manchin III said last week he’s concerned with the guidance expected from the Treasury Department on requirements that a portion of minerals used in vehicles’ batteries be sourced from friendly nations. The West Virginia Democrat held off for months on supporting the budget reconciliation package that ultimately spent $270 billion on tax credits aimed at boosting clean energy and cutting greenhouse gas emission.
