- Biden-Harris administration pumps $623 million to supercharge the U.S. EV charging network, creating jobs and ensuring convenient charging for drivers everywhere.
- Under President Biden, EV adoption skyrockets, with publicly available charging ports surging by 70%.
- Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $311 million is set for 36 community projects, with an additional $312 million supporting 11 corridor recipients, all contributing to President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative.
Biden-Harris administration fuels a $623 million boost for EV charging and community progress
The Biden-Harris Administration just announced a significant $623 million in grants for expanding the EV charging network in the U.S. This move aims to create jobs and make it easier for more drivers to charge their EVs. It’s part of the administration’s plan to build an accessible, affordable, and reliable national network of EV chargers, with a target of 500,000 publicly available chargers by 2030. The goal? To ensure that EVs are not just made in America, but can also be charged conveniently across the country.
Under President Biden’s leadership, the U.S. EV market is booming. EV sales have skyrocketed by more than four times, publicly available charging ports have increased by almost 70%, and there are now over 4 million EVs cruising the streets. Biden’s monumental investments have also triggered a private sector drive, with companies throwing down over $155 billion in the EV and battery supply chain throughout the Biden-Harris reign.
The grants announced this week are funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $2.5 billion Charging and Fuelling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. It’s a competitive program that will support 47 projects across 22 states and Puerto Rico, focusing on the construction of approximately 7,500 EV charging ports. The CFI program works hand in hand with the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program, which aims to create a network of high-speed EV chargers along the nation’s highways. Thanks to NEVI, new charging stations have already opened in Ohio and New York, and states like Pennsylvania and Maine are making progress.
U.S. Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, said;
“America led the arrival of the automotive era, and now we have a chance to lead the world in the EV revolution—securing jobs, savings, and benefits for Americans in the process. This funding will help ensure that EV chargers are accessible, reliable, and convenient for American drivers, while creating jobs in charger manufacturing, installation, and maintenance for American workers.”
In this week’s updates, the Federal Highway Administration is allocating $311 million to support 36 “community” projects. Among them are two Indigenous American communities in Alaska and Arizona. These projects focus on enhancing EV charging and hydrogen fuelling infrastructure in various locations, from urban to rural areas. The aim is to make it more convenient for everyone, including places like schools, parks, libraries, and multi-family housing. It’s an investment with a community touch, bringing positive changes to both urban and rural landscapes.
Adding to the financial boost, an additional $312 million is set to flow towards 11 “corridor” recipients. These projects are strategically positioned along roadways marked as Alternative Fuel Corridors. The focus here is on bridging the gaps in the essential national charging and alternative-fuelling network.
The CFI Program is making strides in line with Biden’s Justice40 Initiative. This initiative has a bold target, ensuring that 40% of the overall benefits from federal investments reach disadvantaged communities that have long been marginalised by underinvestment and burdened by pollution. Over 70% of the CFI funding unveiled this week is specifically geared towards project sites in these disadvantaged communities. It’s not just about progress – it’s about bringing a fair share of positive change to those who need it the most.
U.S. Secretary of Energy, Jennifer M. Granholm, commented;
“Every community across the nation deserves access to convenient and reliable clean transportation. The Biden-Harris Administration is bringing an accessible, made-in-America charging network into thousands of communities while cutting the carbon pollution that is driving the climate crisis.”
As part of efforts to build a uniform charging experience, EV chargers funded by CFI must meet consistent standards, mirroring those set for NEVI-funded chargers. This includes a crucial stipulation – these CFI-funded chargers must proudly bear the label “Made in America.” It doesn’t stop there; adherence to robust workforce standards in both installation and maintenance is non-negotiable. FHWA isn’t going at it alone; there’s a tight collaboration with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. Together, they’re not just talking about it; they’re providing hands-on technical assistance to orchestrate a seamless national network of electric vehicle chargers and zero-emission fueling infrastructure. It’s a tag team effort for a reliable and efficient future on the road.
This week’s new moves aren’t just about infrastructure – they’re creating jobs and making charging hassle-free for drivers. With a goal of 500,000 chargers by 2030 and a focus on accessibility and reliability, the investment paves the way for a more sustainable and connected future. The road ahead is promising, offering a future that’s clean, efficient, and filled with possibilities.
