The Biden administration’s Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told Congress last week that she envisions an all-electric military vehicle fleet by 2030. The proposal has been met with skepticism from some senators, who have labeled it as “laughable.”
Granholm’s comments were made during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in response to a question from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) about her support for an all-electric military fleet. Granholm expressed her support, stating, “I do, and I think we can get there, as well.”
‘Laughable’: Biden’s Energy Secretary Wants All-Electric Military Vehicles Within A Decade | The Daily Wire so stupid https://t.co/HLiNjHAghf
— Ford Flathead (@FordFlatheadV8) May 1, 2023
However, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) criticized the plan as impractical and dangerous. Mullin pointed out the potential vulnerability of electric vehicles to electromagnetic pulses (EMP), weapons capable of wiping out electronics. Furthermore, he questioned the logistics of charging electric vehicles on a battlefield without readily available charging stations.
In addition to the practical concerns, Mullin and Ernst raised the issue of reliance on China for the batteries needed to power these electric vehicles. China currently dominates the market for critical minerals required for EV batteries, and the proposed plan could further increase the United States’ dependence on the Chinese Communist Party.
Ernst also criticized the administration for prioritizing climate change over military efficiency. “This administration has taken it to the extremes with this climate agenda,” she said. “We are not focusing on the lethality of our American military. Instead, they are focusing on green energy and climate change.”
Despite these criticisms, the Biden administration is pushing forward with its green energy agenda. The President recently signed an executive order, “Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All,” to integrate environmental justice into the work of federal agencies. The Department of Defense has also revealed that it has at least 640 staff members working on environmental justice initiatives.
In February, the Army unveiled its “Climate Strategy,” which calls for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The plan also aims to establish an all-electric light-duty non-tactical vehicle fleet by 2027 and a completely electric non-tactical vehicle fleet by 2035.
The push for an all-electric military vehicle fleet is just one aspect of the Biden administration’s broader efforts to address climate change and promote green energy. However, concerns about the practicality, cost, and reliance on China persist, leading some to question the wisdom of such a proposal.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen if the Biden administration can successfully implement this ambitious plan without sacrificing military efficiency and national security.
