WASHINGTON — In keeping with President Biden’s commitment to build out a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers by 2030, the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy today announced all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have submitted EV infrastructure deployment plans as required under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program established and funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These plans are required to unlock the first round of the $5 billion of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law formula funding available over 5 years to help states accelerate the important work of building out the national EV charging network and making electric vehicle charging accessible to all Americans. The on-time submission of every single plan demonstrates the widespread commitment from states to build out EV charging infrastructure to help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, create good jobs, and combat the climate crisis.
“We appreciate the thought and time that states have put into these EV infrastructure plans, which will help create a national charging network where finding a charge is as easy as locating a gas station,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “We will continue to work closely with all fifty states, D.C. and Puerto Rico to ensure EV chargers across the country are convenient, affordable, reliable and accessible for all Americans.”
“Today’s milestone in our plans to build an interconnected national EV charging network is proof that America is prepared to act on President Biden’s call to modernize the national highway system and help Americans drive electric,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Our whole-of-government approach, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and coordinated through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, will boost local economies, strengthen our independence from the volatilities of fossil fuels, and ensure that electric vehicle charging deserts are a thing of the past.”
Today’s news follows the announcement earlier this year of nearly $5 billion that will be made available to states over the next five years under the NEVI Formula Program along with a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on proposed minimum standards and requirements to ensure the national EV charging network is user-friendly, reliable, and accessible to all Americans. To access these new funds and to help ensure a convenient and equitable charging experience for all users, each state was required to submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation that describes how the state intends to use its share of NEVI Formula Program funds consistent with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidance.
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides states with both the funding and framework to build out a reliable charging network that gives people the confidence they need to buy and use electric vehicles,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack. “Our partnership with states is critical as we build out this national network and we work to ensure every state has a good plan in place for using NEVI Formula Program funds.”
With all state EV deployment plans now submitted, the Joint Office and FHWA will review the plans and continue to work with states, with the goal of approving state plans by September 30. Once each state plan is approved, state departments of transportation will be able to deploy EV charging infrastructure through the use of NEVI Formula Program funds.
The NEVI Formula Program and state deployment plans are a foundational component of a convenient, affordable, reliable, and equitable charging network. While these plans will focus on building out the backbone of a national network along highways, the $2.5 billion competitive grant program for Charging and Fueling Infrastructure will further build out the national network by making investments in community charging.
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $7.5 billion for EV charging, along with over $7 billion to support critical minerals supply chain necessary to support domestic EV battery manufacturing.
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation will continue to provide direct technical assistance and support to states during the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program. For more information on the Joint Office, please visit DriveElectric.gov. For more information on President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and investments in electric vehicles, please visit FHWA’s web site.
Courtesy of U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
Featured image courtesy of EVolve NY/New York State.
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