President Biden promised Americans that through the once-in-a-generation infrastructure act, the country’s transportation infrastructure would go through sweeping positive changes. One key part of this is the creation of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Energy (DOE)  recently announced that all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have submitted EV infrastructure deployment plans.

The plans were required by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which was established and funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. This is part of the President’s promise to build a national network of 500,000 EV charging stations by 2030.

The plans are required to release the first installment of $5 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law formula funds available over 5 years to assist states in accelerating the critical task of expanding the national EV charging network and making electric car charging accessible to all Americans. The timely submission of each plan illustrates the general commitment of states to expand EV charging infrastructure to promote the adoption of electric vehicles, generate decent jobs, and battle the climate issue.

“Today’s milestone in our plans to build an interconnected national EV charging network is proof that America is prepared to act on President Biden’s call to modernize the national highway system and help Americans drive electric,” explained US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Our whole-of-government approach, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and coordinated through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, will boost local economies, strengthen our independence from the volatilities of fossil fuels, and ensure that electric vehicle charging deserts are a thing of the past.”

This information follows an announcement earlier this year that almost $5 billion will be given to states over the next 5 years by the NEVI Components Program and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The proposed fund would be disbursed based on minimal requirements and conditions to ensure that the nationwide EV charging network is user-friendly, reliable, and available to all Americans. 

“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides states with both the funding and framework to build out a reliable charging network that gives people the confidence they need to buy and use electric vehicles,” stated Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack. “Our partnership with states is critical as we build out this national network and we work to ensure every state has a good plan in place for using NEVI Formula Program funds.” 

The Joint Office and FHWA will assess all state EV deployment plans and continue cooperating with states until September 30. Once state plans are approved, transportation departments can use NEVI Formula Program funds to deploy EV charging infrastructure.

The NEVI Formula Program and state deployment plans are critical components of a charging network that is convenient, affordable, dependable, and equitable. While these plans will concentrate on laying the groundwork for a national network along highways, the $2.5 billion competitive grant program for Charging and Fueling infrastructure will expand the national network by investing in community charging.

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $7.5 billion for EV charging and over $7 billion for EV battery manufacture. Already states, such as Oregon, have begun laying the groundwork for the new charging stations.