The Clean Transportation Jobs and Development Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to expand funding and oversight for battery manufacturing, critical mineral processing, and advanced vehicle technologies through 2031. A primary provision increases the authorized budget for battery processing grants to $6 billion for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, while also requiring applicants to include specific workforce safety and fire prevention plans. The bill establishes a new Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation to coordinate supply chain resilience and manages multiple research programs focused on extreme-fast charging, vehicle safety, and heavy-duty commercial vehicle electrification. Additionally, the legislation authorizes over $3 billion in total funding for these research and development activities across five fiscal years to support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources.
The Incentivizing Value Capture for Greener Transportation Act establishes a federal program to help states and local governments develop strategies for funding public transit through value capture, which involves collecting a portion of the increased economic value generated by government infrastructure investments. To receive grants under this program, recipients must demonstrate that their plans will increase transit ridership and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, vehicle miles traveled, and traffic congestion while maintaining existing funding levels for these initiatives. The legislation also requires that construction projects funded by these grants adhere to prevailing wage standards and mandates an evaluation of the program's effectiveness three years after funding is received. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to create voluntary best practices for value capture and publish a report on existing state and local laws that successfully promote affordable transit-oriented development.
The DRIVE Across America Act of 2026 establishes the Cleaner TRAILS Initiative to promote zero-emission vehicles and fueling infrastructure on National Forest and National Park lands. This program requires the Forest Service and National Park Service to develop a strategy for installing charging stations, purchasing electric vehicles for their fleets, and offering shuttle services that run on clean energy. The bill also directs the Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation to expand electric vehicle charging access near airports and tourist destinations, while authorizing $1 billion in federal funding between 2027 and 2031 to support these efforts. Additionally, the legislation mandates that agreements for transportation services on federal lands give priority to providers using zero-emission vehicles and requires regular reporting to Congress on progress and spending.
The Cleaner Transportation Access for All Act extends federal tax credits for purchasing clean vehicles and installing charging equipment through 2031, while also allowing a higher credit amount for home charging installations. It establishes a new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to coordinate federal efforts on electric vehicle infrastructure and creates an Electric Vehicle Commission to study industry needs and safety issues. The legislation authorizes billions in funding to expand charging networks, with specific requirements that states prioritize underserved communities and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Additionally, the bill mandates that electric vehicle charging stations be permitted on public curbsides and expands access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes for clean vehicles.
The American Electric Rail Mapping Act of 2026 directs the Federal Railroad Administration to conduct a study on the feasibility of electrifying passenger and freight rail lines across the United States. This study will identify existing and planned rail corridors, determine how current systems are powered, and assess which segments could adopt clean rail technologies. The Administrator must consult with railroad operators, state and local governments, and other relevant entities while using existing resources to minimize costs. The agency is required to submit an initial progress report to Congress within one year of enactment, followed by a final report on the study's results a year later.
The EV Charging Accessibility Act directs the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to finalize a proposed rule ensuring electric vehicle charging stations are accessible to people with disabilities. This rule establishes minimum standards and guidelines for station design, which the Departments of Transportation and Justice must then adopt into federal regulations within 180 days. If the Board fails to complete the rule by the deadline, the proposed guidelines automatically become final without further action. The law primarily affects the government agencies responsible for setting and enforcing accessibility standards for public charging infrastructure.
The Vehicle Innovation Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to consolidate its vehicle technology programs and fund research aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions across all vehicle types. This legislation authorizes over $1.7 billion in appropriations from 2027 to 2031 to support domestic development of advanced technologies, including electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, natural gas systems, and improved manufacturing processes. The bill mandates that these activities be conducted through partnerships with private industry, universities, and state governments, while requiring annual reports to Congress on progress and commercial adoption. Additionally, the act establishes specific programs to test heavy-duty truck technologies, explore secondary uses for vehicle batteries, and update existing federal authorities related to energy efficiency.
This bill directs the Department of Energy to expand research and development efforts focused on creating cleaner, more efficient, and domestically produced vehicle technologies. It establishes multiple new programs to investigate advanced materials, battery systems, electric drivetrains, and alternative fuels like hydrogen and synthetic fuels, with a specific emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and manufacturing costs. The legislation also mandates the creation of an advisory committee to oversee these initiatives, requires regular reporting on progress, and authorizes funding to establish educational centers for training future engineers in automotive technology.
This bill creates a business tax credit for companies that purchase zero-emission electric lawn, garden, and landscaping equipment. The credit equals 40 percent of the equipment's cost, with annual limits of $25,000 and a ten-year aggregate cap of $100,000 per business. Eligible equipment includes electric-powered mowers, trimmers, and other landscaping tools powered by solar, batteries, fuel cells, or grid electricity, as well as batteries and generators used to power them. The credit applies to equipment placed in service after December 31, 2024, and expires five years after the bill is enacted.
This bill creates a federal tax credit for businesses that purchase electric lawn, garden, and landscaping equipment that produces zero emissions. The credit allows eligible businesses to claim 40 percent of the equipment's cost as a tax reduction, with annual limits of $25,000 and a 10-year aggregate cap of $100,000. Covered equipment includes electric-powered mowers, trimmers, and other landscaping tools powered by electricity, batteries, or solar energy, as well as batteries and generators used to charge them. The credit applies to equipment placed in service after December 31, 2024, and expires five years after the bill is enacted.
