Zachary Colletti: Electric vehicles offer Florida a smart, cost-effective path forward

President Donald Trump made headlines this month with his strong endorsement of Teslas, even purchasing one in front of the White House. His vocal support for American-made EVs sends a clear message: the future of transportation is electric, and it’s being built right here in the U.S.

That’s great news and a reminder that American-made electric vehicles (EVs) are here to stay.

Throughout his presidency, Trump has championed American manufacturing and innovation and continues to support policies that promote affordability and opportunity.

It’s clear that EVs are rapidly gaining momentum in Florida and across the country, providing an affordable and reliable transportation option. Consumers, businesses, and even government agencies are embracing EVs to reduce costs.

For example, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office recently added a fleet of Teslas, citing cost-effectiveness as the primary reason. Similarly, the City of Tallahassee now operates nearly 50 light-duty electric vehicles, ensuring taxpayers benefit from these savings.

With this growing adoption of EVs, we should prioritize policies that make ownership more accessible and convenient.

Conservatives lead by embracing innovation and ensuring the government doesn’t get in the way. By paving the road for electric vehicles, we empower consumers to make their own choices — and with 250,000+ electric vehicles on Florida roads, it’s clear that more and more Floridians are choosing this option.

While other states have drowned innovation in red tape and bureaucracy, Florida drives consumer choice. We should stay the course and continue finding ways to benefit Florida families.

At the same time, policymakers should continue seeking ways to make EV ownership more affordable and to support American companies and manufacturing—principles that have long been core to conservative leadership.

Florida has already seen significant growth in charging infrastructure, which has been further accelerated thanks to federal funding opportunities. The state now boasts more than 3,600 electric vehicle charging stations open to the public, offering about 11,200 charging ports.

Additionally, Florida lawmakers are now considering smart proposals to use existing funding sources to supplement the state’s transportation trust fund. This would ensure that our roads and infrastructure remain well-funded without unfairly targeting EV drivers. Gov. Ron DeSantis has demonstrated strong leadership with his budget proposal, which takes a common-sense approach to modernizing Florida’s transportation funding while keeping costs fair for families.

State Sens. Nick DiCeglie and Jay Collins each plan to move this priority forward. In the Florida House, Reps Shane Abbott and Fiona McFarland also support efforts to direct existing electricity sales tax revenue to transportation funding.

These are common-sense steps that will allow Florida to invest in the future of transportation while keeping costs manageable for families, and we applaud our state leaders for their proactivity on this crucial issue.

The reality is that technology is always evolving, and transportation is no exception. But what hasn’t changed is the need for affordable and reliable transportation options. The demand is clear, and by embracing smart policies, we can make sure Florida remains at the forefront of this shift.

Supporting EVs isn’t just about individual convenience — it’s about strengthening our economy, bolstering American manufacturing, and ensuring that our infrastructure keeps pace with innovation.

By adopting policies that encourage growth rather than stifle it, we can create a win-win scenario that benefits our communities and our economy.

The future of transportation is here. Let’s make sure Florida leads the way.

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Zachary Colletti is the executive director of Conservatives for Clean Energy – Florida.