US transportation and energy departments to boost EV charging with $5bn funding
New funding announced by the US Departments of Energy (DoE) and Transportation is expected to help increase the number of electric vehicles (EV) charging infrastructure in the country.
The $5 billion announced is part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and forms efforts by the government to improve consumer access to EV chargers.
The funding will be provided over the next five years and will support the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Programme.
The NEVI Formula programme will provide each US state with $615 million in 2022 to support the installation of new charging stations in a bid to address the lack of adequate infrastructure, one of the main barriers to increasing EV adoption at scale.
However, each state will need to submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan to the new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to describe how it intends to use its share of NEVI Formula Programme funds in line with Federal Highway Administration guidance.
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The aim is to ensure a convenient, reliable, affordable, and equitable charging experience for all users.
The projects will target installation along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors and in rural and underserved communities to ensure the electrification of the transport sector is just and inclusive, according to the statement.
US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer M Granholm, said: “We are modernising America’s national highway system for drivers in cities large and small, towns and rural communities, to take advantage of the benefits of driving electric.”
Granholm added that increased use of EVs would help drivers to save money whilst help ensure a sustainable economy through reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
