VIRGINIA BEACH — Virginia leaders and business owners are redefining what “car freedom” means.
At a “Freedom to Drive” news event, they made the pitch it is no longer just about unlimited miles but about breaking free from unpredictable gas prices and foreign oil.
Del. Michael Feggans, D-Virginia Beach, connected the dots from his military service with energy policy. He argued electric vehicles reduce national security risks tied to oil dependence.
“Every year, the United States spends billions of dollars of taxpayer money to protect oil infrastructure and transit routes overseas,” Feggans pointed out. “This diverts resources from critical, strategic priorities and puts America’s service members in harms way. Our reliance on the volatile global markets makes us vulnerable to these actions, and that’s why I’m here today.”
Feggans, a 20-year Air Force veteran, contended EVs leverage America’s domestic energy, noting electricity prices rose just 4% in 2022, compared to a 52% spike in gas prices. However, it contrasts with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s energy plan, which emphasizes fuel choice and grid stability concerns.
Eric Pinzon, founder of Electrified Marina, which sells electric boats, also warned against ceding the EV market to China.
“With China and Europe pulling ahead – whether it’s in electric cars or boats – we’re not going to get the chance to catch up if we pull away from incentives right now,” Pinzon emphasized. “Electric cars in China are dominating right now because of subsidies, because of the incentives.”
The warning comes as federal EV tax credits face phaseouts, with some ending at the end of September as the Trump administration has declared them “wasteful spending.” While Virginia offers some state incentives, advocates argued more support is needed to compete with China’s subsidies.
