UN Federal Workers Must Use EVs, Rail Travel, White House Says - Planes and cars are only for members of the Inner Party, not the Outer Party

By David Shepardson
December 14, 2023 7:53 PM UTC · Updated an hour ago


A general view of the White House in Washington, U.S., August 27, 2023. REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson/File photo

WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - U.S. federal employees should rent electric vehicles and opt for rail trips when feasible on government travel to sharply reduce emissions, the White House said on Thursday.

In 2022, U.S. government employees spent $2.8 billion on official travel, taking more than 2.8 million flights, 2.3 million vehicle rentals and 33,000 rail trips. Federal travel accounts for 1.8% of federal greenhouse gas emissions, the White House said.

"The federal government will save taxpayers money, reduce emissions, strengthen our growing electric vehicle industry and create good-paying union jobs," said White House Council on Environmental Quality chair Brenda Mallory.

Biden in December 2021 issued an executive order directing the government to stop purchasing gas-powered vehicles by 2035 and said all light-duty federal acquisitions by 2027 should be electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV).

The White House said on Friday the federal government has acquired over 14,000 zero emission vehicles and installed 5,500 charging ports to date. General Services Administration Robin Carnahan said 19% of vehicles it purchased for government fleets this year are EVs -- up from 1% in 2021. "We're making steady progress.

The U.S. government owns more than 650,000 vehicles and purchases about 50,000 annually.

Federal employees in a directive on Thursday were told to rent EVs on official travel when costs are less or equal to comparable gas-powered vehicles and charging is accessible.

They must use rail for trips less than 250 miles (402 km)when cost-effective and feasible rather airplane. It also directs federal employees to avoid taking private vehicles for official travel.

Government employees should also opt for electric vehicle Lyft, Uber or taxi rides if available and increasing public transit use.

The memo also said the Biden administration plans to develop a sustainable aviation strategic plan including requiring airlines to submit information on fuel and operational efficiency initiatives, including sustainable aviation fuel investments.

The federal government spent $1.66 billion on flights and $4.2 million on rail trips last year.

Biden in 2021 set a goal, backed by automakers, seeking 50% of all new vehicles by 2030 to be EVs.

Source (Archive)

 

[Marvin]

Why are fags working directly for the US government? Wake me when they start imposing this on contractors.

 

[WULULULULU]

Look I WANT a hybrid, don't get me wrong, that mileage looks sexy to me. But mandating you NEED it for travel if your a government wagie that just shuffles papers and probably doesn't make much? Sod off

Don't fall for the hybrid trick. Been telling everyone I've met I want an old school car, not a hybrid nor electrical.

 

[WelperHelper99]

Electric motors have been attempted as a potential powertrain ever since WW1. During WW2 both the US and Germany had gas-electric tank prototypes, the Germans with the Porsche Tiger and the US with the T1E1 Heavy Tank and the T23 medium tank. Hybrids are just the latest iteration of that. Heck, the Abrams is already known as the "Whispering Death" for how quickly its turbine noise attenuates compared to a lower-frequency diesel engine's rumble. Just imagine one that's completely silent except for the tracks and with greatly reduced thermal emissions since the ICE is shut off. Fucking stealth Abrams right there.

And yeah, the batteries are liable to explode, but so is ammo.

Oh I'm not saying there aren't advantages, they're quiet, better fuel mileage for hybrids... personally I just don't think it's worth it. A Abrams is already expensive, adding batteries increases the fuck out of it

 

[Standardized Profile]

This was obviously written by someone in a DC bubble. "Use rail travel?" Even in the greater DMV area, that's rarely feasible. In the rest of the country, it's impossible or will add days to travel time. And how are they going to get charging stations for all these cars they say they're buying? The government can't even put down a parking lot without falling ten years behind schedule and a billion dollars over budget.

 

[Whoopsie Daisy]

There was a thread a few weeks back about how air travel would be limited and banned in the UK. Only airports in the 4 capital cities would be allowed to stay open.

This comes on the back of the idea last year that the French can't take domestic flights anymore.

The grip on travel is tightening. Plebs will not be allowed to travel; be it via air or eventually, outside of their 15 minute-cities.

Who were the first group to be mandated at taking the coof jab? Federal workers.

 

[Snekposter]

Oh I'm not saying there aren't advantages, they're quiet, better fuel mileage for hybrids... personally I just don't think it's worth it. A Abrams is already expensive, adding batteries increases the fuck out of it

On the other hand, since its already so expensive, the question is "Is it really that much more for what we're already paying?" I mean, a hybrid Bradley or JLTV is just asking for problems but on something like an MBT where Uncle Sam decided fiber optic wiring was worth the cost since it brought the weight down the cost-benefit analysis for them is a lot different than any other ground vehicles.

 

[TowinKarz]

This plan will shrivel in the face of the guys who have to inspect the fields in rural South Dakota where there are no charging stations in a 500 mile radius.

Eventually, so many "exceptions" will have to be made that it will be impossible to track whose being compliant and who isn't.

 

[WelperHelper99]

On the other hand, since its already so expensive, the question is "Is it really that much more for what we're already paying?" I mean, a hybrid Bradley or JLTV is just asking for problems but on something like an MBT where Uncle Sam decided fiber optic wiring was worth the cost since it brought the weight down the cost-benefit analysis for them is a lot different than any other ground vehicles.

I suppose it depends on the bean counting at the end of the day. Personally I'd be more worried more about the rampant drone and top attack missile threat, but if we're spending money... I guess

 

[Duke Nukem]

Planes and cars are only for members of the Inner Party, not the Outer Party​

Next thing you know they'll be telling us that the Party invented the airplane and the automobile.

Kim Jong Il invented the hamburger as well.