By James Brock
As a retired Air Force veteran, I’ve spent my life focused on protecting America’s security.
Today, that mission looks different than it did during my service. Energy security and economic security are now one and the same. Electric vehicles (EVs) help achieve both by reducing our reliance on foreign oil and shielding families from unpredictable gas prices. EVs give our Orlando-area families and businesses more control over their energy future, especially in a region where commuting and tourism traffic make fuel costs a major household expense.
That is why recent federal policy changes are concerning.
The federal EV tax credits, worth up to $7,500 for new cars and $4,000 for used ones, end for vehicles purchased after Sept. 30. These incentives make EVs affordable for middle-class families, often reducing an EV’s overall price by thousands of dollars. Without them, EV adoption will slow and Americans will face fewer options for affordable, energy-secure transportation.
In 2024, Americans bought a record 1.3 million EVs, driven largely by these tax credits. Vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox EV became realistic options for many drivers.
EV sales benefit more than car buyers. They support thousands of American jobs in states like Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina, where automakers and battery producers have invested billions to build vehicles and supply chains in the U.S. Rolling back these incentives risks chilling these important investments and leaving workers vulnerable. All while countries like China continue to grow their EV dominance through aggressive manufacturing and mineral processing strategies.
EVs can run on electricity produced here at home, which insulates Americans from global oil shocks and stabilizes energy costs. When combined with smart charging technology, they can also help support a more reliable power grid. As more industries electrify, from shipping to manufacturing, controlling our own energy sources will determine America’s economic strength.
The U.S. has built a dynamic EV supply chain, created thousands of good-paying jobs and started to reduce our dependence on volatile global energy markets. Weakening the policies that fueled this progress risks losing our competitive edge and letting foreign governments dictate the future of one of the most important industries of this century.
The choice in front of us is clear: continue strengthening American energy independence and affordability, or fall behind in a race we cannot afford to lose.
Energy independence is a national security imperative. America’s leadership in energy and technology will be shaped by the decisions we make today. Supporting EVs means supporting a stronger, more secure and more affordable future for our country.
James Brock is a retired Air Force veteran living in DeBary. This opinion piece was originally published by the Orlando Sentinel, which is a media partner of The Invading Sea. Banner photo: An EV charging at a public station (iStock photo).
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Energy independence is key to national security, and America’s future in energy tech depends on the choices we make now. Supporting EVs isn’t just about cleaner air—it’s about a stronger, more secure economy. What steps do you think the U.S. needs to take to lead in this shift?