Internet disapproves of White House asking government employees to travel by EVs

WASHINGTON, DC: When on official business, federal government employees must give priority to utilizing electric vehicles (EVs), trains, and public transit choices, according to new guidelines released by the White House.

These steps, which the White House claimed satisfied President Joe Biden's pledge to "lead by example" in addressing climate change, aim to capitalize on the federal government's $2.8 billion yearly purchasing power for business travel and its position as the largest employer in the country.

In all, 2022 saw more than 2.8 million flights, 2.3 million car rentals, and 33,000 rail journeys by government workers traveling on official business, as per Fox News. 

Government employees asked to prioritize the use of EVs when on official trips

"These operational changes will accelerate the clean transportation transformation, increase good-paying union jobs, and create healthier communities," the White House said in a statement on Thursday, December 14.

It added, "President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan aims to reach net-zero emissions from overall Federal operations by 2050, including a 65 percent emissions reduction by 2030."

"Through new Federal employee travel guidelines issued today, the Biden-Harris Administration is advancing this goal by directing Federal agencies to prioritize the use of sustainable transportation for official and local travel, both domestically and internationally," further noted the statement.

When the cost of an electric vehicle (EV) is less than or equal to the most reasonably priced equivalent gas-powered car that is available, government personnel are required by guidelines to hire an EV for official travel.

Furthermore, when EVs are more affordable than taxis or ride-sharing services, staff members must choose them.

Additionally, employees are only permitted to take trains rather than drive or fly for journeys that total less than 250 miles (402 km). They will also have to use public transit for local visits, which includes traveling to and from off-site locations.

Internet criticizes the White House's decision regarding new travel guidelines for government employees

Soon after the White House released its statement about the travel guidelines for government employees, netizens took to the internet to slam the move. 

One wrote, "So more tax payers' money to replace government vehicles. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE OUR OWN VEHICLES."

Another commented, "Sounds like a dictatorship," and someone else added, "so members of Congress within 250 miles of Washington should all be using trains instead of flying to go home. (For example, AOC)."

A person inquired, "Do those charger stations throttle the charge rates when several are in use at the same time?" with one more asking, "Does that include the Presidents motorcade??" 

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