Commentary: I'm a veteran and I drive an electric vehicle

Commentary: I'm a veteran and I drive an electric vehicle

Jim Brock is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran living in DeBary. He drives a 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV.

By Jim Brock

PUBLISHED: April 4, 2025 at 5:30 AM EDT

I'm proud of my service to this nation as a member of the U.S. Air Force. I stand for the Constitution, have a deep understanding of history, and firmly believe in a free and competitive market. I also drive an electric vehicle — for several important reasons directly related to my love of this country.

First, driving electric is a way to protect national security. By shifting away from oil dependency, we can reduce the risks that come with protecting oil infrastructure around the world. Second, transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) supports energy security. Third, it helps create American jobs in the growing EV sector, fostering economic prosperity across the nation.

Yet our government continues to pour billions into the oil and gas industry while cutting funding for transportation electrification. This approach not only ignores the long-term benefits of energy independence but also puts us at risk of missing out on the economic opportunities offered by clean energy.

Each year, the U.S. military spends $81 billion protecting oil infrastructure and trade routes — money that ultimately subsidizes petroleum consumers. This reliance on foreign oil ties our economy to volatile global markets and puts members of our military at risk. The better alternative is investing in electric transportation, which would stabilize fuel prices and ensure that our armed forces won't have to compete for precious oil during a crisis.

Despite the proven economic potential of EVs, federal funding for electric vehicle infrastructure has been slashed. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which could drive economic growth and job creation, was gutted, and Florida's share of these funds was returned unused. Meanwhile, the complementary Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program — which was recently awarded $89.7 million to expand community and highway EV charging across the Southeast — is also at risk due to recent political actions. These CFI grants would support critical infrastructure in places like Jacksonville, Gainesville and Broward County, especially in disadvantaged communities, but ongoing funding threats are creating unnecessary delays.

Meanwhile, politicians criticize EV funding, even though the fossil fuel industry receives $120 billion in subsidies annually. These costly subsidies support an outdated industry that harms our economy, our national security, and the environment. In comparison, the modest NEVI and CFI funding, which could expand charging networks and create jobs, remains underutilized.

That's why it's critical for our leaders to protect and expand access to EVs — including through tax credits that help families afford reliable electric vehicles. As outlined in a recent Southern Alliance for Clean Energy blog post, continued investment in programs like NEVI and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program is essential to ensure that more communities — especially in the Southeast — can benefit from clean transportation, job creation, and energy independence.

Investing in EV infrastructure is an American issue, not a partisan one. If we're willing to spend billions on oil and gas subsidies, we must be equally committed to building the infrastructure needed to transition to clean energy. EVs will strengthen our economy, protect our national security, and ensure a more resilient future for America.

Jim Brock is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran living in DeBary. He drives a 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV.