Electric cars.. Biden administration allocates $ 5 billion to build a national charging network
The administration of US President Joe Biden revealed its plan to build a national network of electric car charging stations, as part of stimulating widespread adoption of zero-emission cars in various US states.
On Thursday, the administration announced the availability of $5 billion in federal funds to states over five years under President Biden's Infrastructure Act; To support the spread of electric cars.
The law also provides an additional $2.5 billion for local grants, planned for later this year; To fill the remaining gaps in the freight network in rural areas and disadvantaged communities; Residents are less likely to own more expensive electric cars.
Biden pledged, during the presidential campaign, to build the first network of 500,000 charging stations, and set a goal of 50 percent electric vehicle sales by 2030, as part of a broader effort to build a zero-emissions US economy by 2050, Los Angeles reported. The Los Angeles Times.
Federal Funding Details
Under new requirements issued by the Department of Transportation, states must submit plans to the federal government.
Construction could begin this fall, if it first focused on highways that could allow people to take their electric cars over long distances, rather than neighborhoods and shopping malls.
Each station will need at least 4 fast charging ports, which enable drivers to fully recharge their cars in about an hour.
The Department of Transportation and Energy's joint office will help provide guidance to states on how to build the grid, while also serving rural and disadvantaged communities.
if the states do not fully meet the requirements; They risk delays in getting approval from the Federal Highway Administration, or not getting the federal funds at all.
The electric car revolution
“It's about making sure that everyone can participate in the electric car revolution,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “It's already happening.. But we have to make sure it's made in America, and that everyone benefits from cities to rural areas.”
For her part, US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm emphasized, "We want people not to suffer from scale anxiety, and then focus on areas where we haven't seen a large penetration of electric cars. Perhaps they are in urban areas .. It may be poor communities," according to the platform. Black Hills Fox.
Electric cars accounted for less than 3% of new car sales in the United States last year; Consumers bought nearly 400,000 fully electric cars in 2021.
According to a Consumer Reports survey, concern about limited range and availability of charging stations was among the top consumer concerns about owning an electric vehicle.
Although this number is expected to rise within the next decade; Granholm acknowledged that there is one big hurdle: cost.
"This is exactly why, as part of the rebuilding better agenda, the president is getting tax credits for buying electric cars, both new and used," Granholm said.
Charging electric cars in America
There are more than 50,000 charging station locations in the United States, with more than 100,000 outlets.
Senior administration officials are now describing the money contained in the infrastructure law as a first step in achieving the half-million goal by 2030, after Biden's proposed $15 billion for charging stations has been halved.
Officials suspect that the new construction could stimulate additional significant investment from the private sector.
Fast DC chargers, which can charge a car to up to 80% of its battery capacity in 20-45 minutes, cost between $40,000 and $100,000; This limits the number that can be built, but enables drivers to quickly get back on the road.
And 240-volt electric chargers are much cheaper, about $2,000. It takes about 8 hours to fully recharge the car, and the next step in construction is expected as soon as next year.
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