COST Act

This bill orders two studies to guide future choices about the federal government’s cars and trucks. First, it tells the Government Accountability Office to compare the costs of replacing federal light-duty gasoline cars with either electric vehicles (including plug-in hybrids) or E85 flex-fuel vehicles. The study must also include the cost of any needed fueling or charging infrastructure and be posted online within one year of the bill becoming law.

Second, it tells the Department of Energy to compare total greenhouse gas emissions over a vehicle’s full life for three types: regular gasoline, E85-capable flex-fuel, and battery electric. This analysis must use the GREET model and be reported to Congress within one year. The bill defines E85 as 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, “light-duty” as 8,500 pounds or less, and “Federal fleet” as vehicles owned or operated by federal agencies. The bill does not require the government to buy any specific vehicles yet; it gathers facts to inform later decisions.

Key points

• Who is affected: Federal agencies that manage vehicles; the Government Accountability Office; the Department of Energy.
• What changes: Public cost studies for switching to electric or E85 vehicles, including infrastructure needs; a life-cycle emissions comparison using a standard federal model.
• When: Both the cost analysis and the emissions report are due within one year after the bill becomes law.