Former Tesla Employee Gore to Head U.S. Zero Emission Advocacy Group

By David Shepardson

Washington – Albert Gore III, who previously worked in public policy for Tesla, has been appointed as the executive director of the Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA), according to an announcement made on Wednesday.

In 2021, Congress allocated $5 billion for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and recently passed new tax credits for electric vehicles.

Gore emphasized the challenges ahead, particularly regarding the implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program and new industrial policies outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act, in a LinkedIn update.

He is the son of former Vice President Al Gore, who co-received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in climate advocacy.

With nearly seven years of experience at Tesla in public policy and business development, Gore is well-positioned for this new role.

ZETA’s membership includes companies like Tesla, Lucid Motors, Rivian, LG, Waymo, Uber, Panasonic, and Albemarle, among others.

President Joe Biden aims for 50% of new vehicles sold in the U.S. to be electric or plug-in hybrids by 2030.

The $430 billion Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in August, revised the rules for EV tax credits, eliminating the $7,500 consumer tax credit for vehicles assembled outside North America, which has raised concerns in South Korea, the European Union, Japan, and other regions.

Joe Britton, the previous executive director of ZETA, noted that the discussion around electric vehicles in the coming years will largely center on implementation and deployment following congressional initiatives.

Recently, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that consumers leasing electric vehicles could be eligible for tax credits up to $7,500, which applies even to those manufactured outside North America.

The legislation also places restrictions on the sourcing of battery minerals and components, introduces income and price caps for qualifying vehicles, and plans to reduce reliance on Chinese battery materials or components. Unlike the consumer credit, the commercial credit does not impose similar restrictions.

Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act removed the previous cap of 200,000 EVs per manufacturer, making companies like Tesla and General Motors eligible once again for EV tax credits.