The U.S. Department of Transportation's latest data is in regarding the status of America's battery-electric vehicle charging network,. Since the Biden-Harris administration took office, the number of EV chargers has doubled to over 192,000 publicly available charging ports with an estimated 1,000 new public chargers being added weekly. These chargers are accessible to passenger and light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles.
In addition, the administration has announce $521 million in grants to continue building out the network along with additional alternative fueling options across 29 states, eight Federally Recognized Tribes, and the District of Columbia. This also includes the deployment of 9,200 EV charging ports.
The full list of grant recipients can be read here.
"The Biden-Harris Administration has taken action to ensure that America leads the EV revolution, and the historic infrastructure package includes resources to support a nationwide EV charger network so that all drivers have an accessible, reliable, and convenient way to charge their vehicles,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The awards that we’re announcing today will build on this important work and help ensure that the cost savings, health and climate benefits, and jobs of the EV future are secured for Americans across the country.”
[Related: Biden administration awards $1.7 billion to retool facilities for EV production]
This latest $521 million investment is divided into two main areas: 41 community projects ($321 million) and 10 corridor fast-charging projects ($200 million).
The grant awards also support President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40% of the overall benefits of federal investments to flow to disadvantaged communities, with over half of the funding going to sites in disadvantaged communities.
[Related: EPA's Phase 3 emissions rule has unintended consequences, says lawsuit co-plaintiff]
Community project selections include:
The City of Milwaukee will receive nearly $15 million to install EV chargers at 53 sites citywide. During the site selection process, the city prioritized sites in areas that lack existing EV infrastructure, low-to-moderate income communities, and neighborhoods with high ratios of multifamily housing units.
The Standing Rock Renewable Energy Power Authority, on behalf of the Sioux Reservation in North Dakota, will receive nearly $3.9 million to install publicly accessible community EV charging stations in eight locations. The sites were selected because they are spread throughout the Reservation’s eight districts. They also serve as gathering spots where Tribal members can access services.
Corridor project selections include:
The Fort Independence Indian Community in California will receive over $15 million to install an EV charging hub along U.S. Route 395 corridor, a designated Alternative Fuel Corridor, and the only north-south passage along the Eastern Sierra Nevada range.
The City of Atlanta will receive nearly $11.8 million to install a DC Fast Charging Hub at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport with 50 DC fast chargers. The DC Fast Charger Hub would provide critical charging for rental car companies, ride-share drivers, airport shuttles for hotels, employees, the City's growing electric fleet of light- to heavy-duty vehicles, as well as regional and local EV drivers coming to the airport or driving along the nearby major highway systems.
