Federal Government Offers States $2.5 Billion For EV Charging Infrastructure

The Biden administration’s Department of Transportation opened applications for its $2.5 billion Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program. The program will give grants to local governments and aims to remodel U.S. energy infrastructure toward zero-emissions vehicles.

The funds will likely be used for EV chargers, hydrogen fuel stations and alternative energy transit options. The administration hopes the public funding will make 500,000 new charging stations by 2030. The charging infrastructure is a prominent part of the Biden administration’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 52%.

The US had just over 100,000 charging stations in the U.S. at the beginning of 2022.

“By helping bring EV charging to communities across the country, this Administration is modernizing our infrastructure and creating good jobs in the process,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “With today’s announcement, we are taking another big step forward in creating an EV future that is convenient, affordable, reliable, and accessible to all Americans.”

The $2.5 billion was appropriated by Congress with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The program’s initial round of funding will send $700 million in the next five years.

Local governments are expected to put the new chargers in “publicly accessible” areas – such as parking lots, schools and parks. A second round of funding was procured for longer-distance “alternative fuel corridors” along highways.

Officials have to apply for the funding by May 30.

Article by Ben Shimkus