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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Next Steps for Building a National Network of EV Charging

Feb. 15, 2023

Woman charging electric vehicle

Today the Biden-Harris administration announced the latest actions that will empower states to take the next steps toward building a national network of EV charging that is convenient, accessible, and equitable. States now have access to the final minimum standards for federally funded EV infrastructure, as well as the Build America, Buy America implementation plan for EV charging equipment. The final minimum standards and Build America, Buy America plan provide all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico with every tool needed to build EV charging stations pursuant to their approved state charging plans developed under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.

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 you drive or where you charge. The standards will also require that chargers have consistent plug types and charging speeds, common payment systems, and accessible pricing information, locations, and availability. In addition, these standards establish strong workforce requirements 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 recharging an EV away from home will be as predictable and accessible as filling up a gas tank.”

The Build America, Buy America implementation plan incentivizes companies to invest in domestic production of EV charging components, while providing a transition period for companies to onshore their supply chains. The rapidly expanding industry is ramping up production to make high-quality, Made-in-America compliant chargers, creating good manufacturing jobs and helping the United States cement its leadership in clean energy manufacturing.

The administration also announced that cities, towns, tribes, and states will soon be able to apply for competitive grants to build EV charging stations in communities across the country. The first round of funding will open soon and make $700 million from fiscal years 2022 and 2023 available through the new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant program. This program was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and provides $2.5 billion over five years to strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure and other fueling infrastructure projects in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations, including downtown areas and local neighborhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities.

“The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation in its first year has worked closely with the Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and the Department of Energy, as well as states, communities, and stakeholders across the country to make sure that the Biden-Harris administration’s goal to build a network of 500,000 chargers is reliable, equitable, and frictionless for the public to use,” said Joint Office Executive Director Gabe Klein.

The Joint Office will conduct outreach and continue to provide direct technical assistance to states and communities as they build EV charging infrastructure. Contact us.