Axios Event: Sustainable transportation may face mixed support in Trump administration

WASHINGTON – Certain Biden administration climate and infrastructure policies like the electric vehicle tax credit have an uncertain future in the incoming Trump administration, according to Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.).

Why it matters: Increased congestion and environmental impacts have brought more urgency to the need for more sustainable transportation options in cities.

Axios' Nathan Bomey moderated conversations with Crawford and WMATA general manager and CEO Randy Clarke at the Dec. 10 event, which was sponsored by Flex.

What they're saying: All aspects of U.S. transportation and infrastructure need a fresh look.

• "I think we need to broaden our scope, look at the entire portfolio and target the investment where it can do the most good," Crawford said.
• But, the market for electric vehicles "should be consumer driven," Crawford said, calling the tax credit an effort "to pick winners and losers to sort of skew the marketplace."
• Crawford added that he believes the current grid infrastructure wouldn't be able to support a huge influx of electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, Clarke said Washington's public transit system, WMATA, is expanding its service times and making their trains more energy efficient which could help support sustainable transportation goals.

• "We're going back onto automatic train operation … not only will the trips be faster and safer, it will create more efficiency and savings," Clarke said.

Sponsored content:

A View From the Top segment featured Uber senior manager of federal affairs Julius West and Grubhub head of federal affairs Kara Kelber. West said that transitioning commercial drivers to electric vehicles is a top priority for the company in its efforts to reduce emissions, and Kelber talked about Grubhub's efforts to reduce plastic waste in deliveries. Uber and Grubhub are corporate members of Flex, which sponsored the event.