The Biden-Harris Administration has announced nearly $150 million in grants for EV station funding. The U.S. Transportation Department said on Thursday that there will be 24 grant recipients in 20 states with nearly 4,500 existing electric vehicle charging ports. This is a significant move towards building a reliable and convenient national electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the country.
Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt, in an interview, acknowledged the concerns of electric vehicle (EV) owners who often find EV charging stations out of service. With these multi-million grants, the reliability of the national EV charging infrastructure will be improved.
The 24 grant recipients in 20 states are expected to make significant strides in enhancing the EV charging infrastructure, thereby promoting the use of electric vehicles. By prioritizing the repair and replacement of EV charging ports, the Biden-Harris administration is not only investing in America’s infrastructure but also in its sustainable future.
“The EV revolution is here. To make the most of it we must ensure that everyone, from the largest cities to the most rural communities, has access to reliable EV charging infrastructure,” the U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg pointed out. “These grants bring us another step closer to a national EV charging network that keeps up with the EV transition that’s well underway.”
The EV station funding signals the administration’s commitment to accelerating the transition to clean energy and reducing the country’s carbon footprint. It builds on upon the substantial federal and private sector funding, amounting to tens of billions, that is being utilized to establish a national EV charging network. It further supports high-paying jobs across the country, contributing to the installation, maintenance, and repair of EV infrastructure.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is building an EV charging infrastructure that can power our clean transportation future,” added U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “These investments will ensure that Americans have a convenient and reliable experience when they charge their vehicles at public stations.”
The recently announced funds are a part of the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which stemmed from the 2021 infrastructure law worth $1 trillion. As per the program’s guidelines, states receiving federal funding are required to maintain and operate the charging ports for a minimum of five years, ensuring they are functional at least 97% of the time.
Today’s announcement is the latest milestone toward the President’s goal of bringing at least 500,000 public EV chargers online by the end of the decade. As the electric vehicle revolution charges forward, the Biden-Harris administration continues to fuel its progress with strategic investments.
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