States could begin building as soon as this fall a national electric charging network that’s key to the Biden administration's goal of boosting the number of zero-emission cars on the roads.
The administration Thursday rolled out guidance for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, one of the most closely watched investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
States will get $5 billion over the next five years to build a network of 500,000 stations located every 50 miles along an interstate. Each station needs to have at least four fast-charging ports, which can charge a car in less than an hour.
The FY22 investment totals $615 million, the Department of Transportation said in a statement.
The administration's goal is to have electric vehicles account for 50% of all vehicle sales by 2030.
The guidance said the feds anticipate that states will partner with private entities for the development, operation and maintenance of the charging stations. The program calls for a 20% match, which can come from either state or private funds.
Consistent with all IIJA funds, the guidance calls for states to emphasize equity by ensuring the infrastructure is available in underserved or disadvantaged communities.
States have until Aug. 1 to submit their plans to the newly created Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, which is overseeing the program. The Federal Highway Administration will review the plans by Sept. 30.
“We are modernizing 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,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement.
The transportation department could claw back the funds – and send them to local governments – if the state fails to submit a plan or doesn’t take action to implement it, the guidance said.
The program allocates the biggest chunk of the funds to Texas, at $407 million. California is next in line, with $383 million. No other state receives more than $200 million, though Florida comes close at $198 million.
The guidance comes after the FHWA received hundreds of comments from industry groups and market participants weighing in on how the program should be crafted.
States
On top of the $5 billion for the network, the program offers another $2.5 billion in discretionary grants to local governments. Details on those funds will be released later this year.
The FHWA will release standards for safe, reliable chargers by May.
