U.S. government takes next steps to roll-out national network of EV chargers

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced its latest actions to advance the President’s vision of building 500,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers by 2030 and delivering a convenient, reliable and made-in-America EV charging network.

These next steps – publishing minimum standards for federally funded EV infrastructure, finalising the Build America, Buy America implementation plan for EV charging equipment and announcing that cities, towns, Tribes, and states will soon be able to apply for the first round of $2.5 billion in competitive grants to build EV charging stations in communities across the country – will electrify the great American road trip.

These standards will help to ensure that chargers operated by different networks will operate similarly and provide the traveling public with a predictable EV charging experience – no matter what car they drive or what state they charge in. These standards will also require that chargers have consistent plug types and charging speeds, common payment systems, as well as accessible pricing information, locations and availability. Furthermore, these standards establish strong workforce training provisions, and will create and support good-paying, highly skilled jobs in communities across the country.

“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 U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “We’re establishing common, universal standards for EV charging stations just like the ones for gas stations, so that re-charging an EV away from home will be as predictable and accessible as filling up a gas tank.”

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“(These) 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 U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “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 national standards we are announcing today will give EV users confidence that they will be able to find available, safe and reliable EV charging stations across the country,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “This is a critical step in building a seamless national network with common requirements for EV charging that will support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, help build a clean energy, and ensure those technologies and products are made here in America. We look forward to opening applications for community-based charging grants soon.”

In addition, the new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will provide $2.5 billion over five years to a full range of applicants, including cities, counties, local governments and Tribes. This round of funding will make $700 million from Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023 available to strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure and other fuelling infrastructure projects in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations, including downtown areas and local neighbourhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities.

In order to address discrete barriers towards realising a convenient, affordable, reliable, secure and equitable EV charging network, the Joint Office had released a notice of intent to issue a funding opportunity for its Ride and Drive Electric research and development programme. The programme will seek to accelerate and enhance the development of the nation’s EV charging network through focused investment in EV charging reliability, resiliency, equity and workforce development.