The Biden administration has recently fulfilled its commitment to provide funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to local governments. The Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for its $2.5 billion Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, which will allocate funds to cities, counties, regional governments, and tribes to assist in the deployment of EV chargers, hydrogen fuel stations, and other low-emission systems in their communities.
Half of the program’s funding is designated for chargers and stations in “publicly accessible” locations such as parking facilities, parks, and schools. The remainder will be used to install equipment in “alternative fuel corridors” along highways, facilitating long-distance travel. The initial funding round will make $700 million available, with the balance distributed over the program’s five-year duration. Officials must submit their applications by May 30th.
This initiative is part of President Biden’s broader plan to construct 500,000 charging stations by 2030, representing a five-fold increase from the number of stations in early 2022. The funding, assigned under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to guarantee charging access within 50 miles of a person’s location across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. While the primary goal is to encourage overall EV adoption, additional emphasis is placed on supporting underserved communities, including certain urban and rural areas.
A robust charging infrastructure is widely regarded as crucial for a successful transition away from combustion engine vehicles.
Current stations can often be congested or unreliable, and may not always support the fast-charging capabilities of modern EVs. While government funding cannot guarantee a solution to these issues, it should increase the likelihood of cross-country travel in electric vehicles.