The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a range of initiatives to advance its development of a network of 500,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers by 2030, including US$2.5bn (£2.07bn) in competitive grant funding to install EV chargepoints.
The government hopes to use this network to deliver convenient, reliable and American-made charging across the nation.
As well as the new funding announcement, the government also plans on publishing minimum standards for EV infrastructure funded by the federal government and completing the Build America, Buy America implementation plan for EV charging equipment.
This new grant programme, named the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, will provide funds over a five-year period. The first round will make US$700m (£582.1m) available from the 2022 and 2023 financial years.
“Today’s announcements will address challenges to widespread EV adoption by clearing the path for a nation-wide network of chargers that is even more accessible and affordable than traditional gas stations,” said Jennifer M. Granholm, US secretary of energy.
“This historic undertaking will spur economic growth powered by American workers who will deliver on president Biden’s goals for America to lead the world in EV manufacturing and adoption.”
The US Department of Transport (DOT) has said it hopes the funding and implementation plan will offer states all the necessary equipment to build EV charging stations in compliance with approved state charging plans.
The standards are intended to ensure that chargers across America operate in a uniform way, and provide the public with a reliable and predictable EV charging experience.
Introducing consistent plug types, payment systems, charging speeds and more will help establish strong workforce training provisions and support highly-skilled jobs in communities across the country, the US DOT has said.
“This is a major step toward a world where every EV user will be able to find safe, reliable charging stations anywhere in the country,” said Pete Buttigieg, US transportation secretary.
“We’re establishing common, universal standards for EV charging stations just like the ones for gas stations, so that recharging an EV away from home will be as predictable and accessible as filling up a gas tank.”
To address some of the barriers towards realising a convenient, affordable and reliable EV charging network, the Joint Office also released a notice of intent to fund its Ride and Drive Electric research and development programme. The programme will seek to accelerate the network’s development through focused investment in EV charging reliability, resiliency, equity and workforce development.
The Build America, Buy America implementation plan was established to motivate US firms to invest in domestic production of EV charging components and support the US to become a leader in green energy.
