Biden administration announces $623 million grant program for electric vehicles

The Biden administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a new investment in the country’s efforts for greater electric vehicle adoption and use, engagement $623 million in subsidies for electric vehicle charging stations intended to build community charging networks around the United States

This significant investment is part of President Joe Biden’s goal to build 500,000 publicly accessible chargers by 2030.

“America ushered in the automobile age and now we have the opportunity to lead the world in the electric vehicle revolution, securing jobs, savings and benefits social to Americans. This funding will help ensure electric vehicle chargers are accessible and reliable. and convenience for American drivers, while creating jobs manufacturing, installing and maintaining chargers for American workers,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

The Federal Transit Authority is also awarding $311 million to 36 community projects, including Native-led projects in Alaska and Arizona.

According to the announcement, the grants are funded by a $2.5 billion allocation for electric vehicles built into the bipartisan infrastructure law. The law also allows up to $108 billion in public transportation infrastructure projects designed to improve public transportation safety, modernize existing systems, improve access for underserved communities, and shift services toward climate-friendly options.

For example, the administration announced a $1.7 billion grant program for zero-emission, low-cost buses across the country.

Electric vehicle charging stations along the country’s road network have already been funded with the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula program.

Aiming to create an even stronger electric vehicle “backbone,” as the administration calls it, the Biden administration’s new grant program will fund 47 electric vehicle charging and alternative fuel infrastructure projects in 22 states and Puerto Rico, and will build 7,500 electric vehicle charging ports.

“Since I work at the local level, I know that finding electric vehicle charging in a community is different than finding charging along highways,” Buttigeig added. “USDOT is proud to make an investment that will provide Americans with convenient and simple charging options in their communities.”