States will Need to Develop EV Charging Infrastructure

A month ago, the Biden administration has announced a $5 billion investment to build EV infrastructure and charging stations across the country in a bid to ease U.S. dependence on gas-powered cars. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he hopes the program can calm the nerves of those who may be concerned about the availability of publicly accessible electric vehicle chargers. President Biden has called for the development of a national electric vehicle charging network, with the federal government initially supporting 500,000 chargers by 2030. This will increase the current US total of 45,208 chargers by over 1100%. 

Nearly 489,000 electric vehicles were purchased in the U.S. last year, slightly more than 3 percent of all cars sold, according to J.D. Power. What could be stunting interest to switch is “range anxiety,” the fear of running out of juice before a driver can get to a charging station.

The US Department of Transportation and the US Department of Energy departments are jointly leading this initiative to electrify interstate highways. As part of this initiative, the US Department of Transportation formally announced the plan to deliver $5 billion in federal funding under the program. The EV program will distribute the money to qualifying states over a five-year period, as a portion of President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill.

States will need to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure plans to access. Plans will likely require adherence to current US DOT planning guidance including applicable portions of the National Transportation ITS Protocol. In particular, the funding will be approved for states that submit detailed systems engineering plans. Additionally, USDOT will provide states with guidance on the NEVI program that outlines allowable uses of the funds, suggested locations, and other implementation and operational specifics.

National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program provides $615 million in 2022. A  subsequent $2.5 billion grant to build systems for charging access along alternative fuel corridors and in rural and underserved communities, will shortly thereafter.
The State of Texas could receive up to $60.4 million. Other states that will likely receive funding include California at $56.8 million, Florida at $29.3 million, New York at $25.9 million, Pennsylvania at $25.4 million. 

The new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, headed up by DOE and DOT To access the funds, will be accepting state charging infrastructure plans. The website, DriveElectric.gov, is a one-stop resource for state officials to access technical assistance, data, and tools. Deadlines are August 1 for the submittals, approvals may be received by submitters as early as the end of September.

This effort will expand and build upon the system of alternative fuel corridors that have been envisioned and built over the past six years. 
Additionally, officials with the Biden Administration are ensuring that the network of chargers is accessible to users in both urban and rural areas and that 40% or more of the benefits will impact disadvantaged communities. 

Further details will be released in ninety days, including technical requirements, locations, and program requirements.
 

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