Biden announces $623m of grants for EV charging network

The US government has announced $623m in grants to help build out an electric vehicle charging network, as part of plans to deliver at least 500,000 publicly available chargers by 2030.

The move comes as 4 million EVs have hit US roads and comes alongside more than $155 billion in the EV and battery supply chain in the years of the Biden-Harris Administration.

The grants come through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $2.5bn charging and fueling infrastructure (CFI) discretionary grant program, and will fund 47 EV charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure projects in 22 states and Puerto Rico, including construction of approximately 7,500 EV charging ports.

The Federal Highway Administration has awarded $311m to 36 community projects, including two Indian Tribes in Alaska and Arizona. These projects invest in EV charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure in urban and rural communities, including at convenient and high-use locations like schools, parks, libraries, multi-family housing.

Another $312 million in funding will go to 11 “corridor” recipients whose projects are located along roadways designated as Alternative Fuel Corridors. These projects will fill gaps in the core national charging and alternative-fueling network.

Speaking about the news, US transport 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.”

US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said: “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.”

U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg said: “From my time working at the local level, I know that finding electric vehicle charging in a community is different from finding charging along highways,” said “USDOT is proud to make an investment that will provide Americans with convenient, straightforward charging options in their communities.”

Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt said: “The Federal Highway Administration is pleased to announce these grants that will bring EV charging and alternative fuels to people and communities all across the nation,” said  “These investments through the CFI Program will grow our national EV charging network, support President Biden’s goals of achieving net-zero emissions for the nation by 2050 and promote opportunity for all Americans to enjoy the benefits of EV charging.”

Image from Shutterstock

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