Josh Aviv, CEO of SparkCharge — Testimony (Senator Markey, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging)

Summary

Written testimony dated May 9, 2025 by Josh Aviv, CEO of SparkCharge, a Massachusetts-based small business that provides mobile electric vehicle charging, addressed to Senator Markey and committee members. The testimony states that tariffs raise the cost of components such as batteries and electronic equipment by +30% for businesses like SparkCharge. It argues that removing Inflation Reduction Act incentives, clean vehicle tax credits or the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit would raise costs and slow growth for small clean energy businesses. It also describes venture capital and domestic manufacturing as important to the company. The testimony closes by asking for continued federal support through fair tariffs, IRA incentives, clean vehicle tax credits and small business tax credits.

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Full text

Good morning, Senator Markey, esteemed committee members, and fellow participants.

My name is Josh Aviv, and I am the CEO of SparkCharge, a Massachusetts-based small
business committed to building the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging. At SparkCharge, we
provide mobile and flexible EV charging solutions called Charging As A Service that empower
fleets and communities to adopt clean transportation without infrastructure hurdles.

Today, I am honored to discuss how federal policies profoundly impact our ability, and that of
countless other small businesses in Massachusetts and across the nation, to innovate, grow,
and lead in the clean energy economy.

First, tariffs significantly affect businesses like SparkCharge by increasing the cost of essential
components by +30%, such as batteries and electronic equipment, most of which remain
dependent on global supply chains. For small businesses, these increased costs result in
reduced competitiveness, slower innovation, and financial strain as we scale operations and
strive to offer affordable clean energy solutions.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has been transformative for the clean energy sector and
companies like ours. Its incentives have spurred crucial investment, job creation, and
technological innovation in clean energy. Should these incentives be removed, we would see
disruption to ongoing projects, decreased future investments, and a loss of critical momentum in
our journey toward electrification and sustainability. Specifically for SparkCharge, the elimination
of IRA-supported incentives would increase the cost of capital significantly, diminishing our
global competitive position.

Moreover, the role of venture capital is indispensable in fueling innovation and growth within the
clean energy sector. Venture capital was instrumental in helping us finance research, develop,
scale our operations, and expand our market reach. A reduction in available venture capital
funding due to changing federal policies and economic uncertainty would severely limit growth,
stall promising new technologies, and threaten jobs and economic progress in Massachusetts.

Manufacturing domestically in the USA remains a critical priority for SparkCharge and other
small businesses. Local manufacturing capabilities reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, generate
quality employment opportunities, and expedite innovation cycles. Federal support through
incentives and infrastructure investment strengthens our ability to produce competitively priced
products domestically, enhancing business resilience and national economic security.

Additionally, the clean vehicle tax credits under current federal policies significantly stimulate
demand for electric vehicles, directly benefiting SparkCharge and the broader EV ecosystem.
Increased adoption rates of EVs naturally lead to heightened demand for charging infrastructure
solutions. Removing or reducing these credits would dramatically slow EV adoption, negatively
impacting market opportunities for small businesses in the EV charging sector and impeding our
nation's clean transportation transition.
Lastly, tax credits like Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit, tailored specifically for
small businesses, are vital, leveling the playing field by enabling innovative startups and small
companies like ours to invest robustly in research, workforce development, and growth.
Eliminating these credits would disproportionately burden small businesses, increase
operational costs, and weaken our competitive standing relative to larger, established
corporations.

In conclusion, continued federal support through fair tariffs, sustained incentives from the IRA, a
robust environment for venture capital, strengthened domestic manufacturing capabilities, stable
clean vehicle tax credits, and targeted small business tax credits are indispensable to
SparkCharge and similar innovative companies. Such supportive policies ensure small
businesses remain competitive, innovative, and integral in driving America's clean energy future.

Thank you for providing me this opportunity to testify today. SparkCharge remains steadfast in
our commitment to collaborate with policymakers to reinforce the clean energy economy,
promote innovation, and foster sustainable, equitable growth for our communities.


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