The Biden-Harris Administration announced a substantial investment of $521 million in grants aimed at expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure across the United States. This funding will support the deployment of over 9,200 EV charging ports in 29 states, two federally recognized tribes, and the District of Columbia, furthering the administration’s commitment to building a robust, accessible, and reliable national network of EV chargers.
These grants are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to promote a convenient, affordable, and Made-in-America EV charging network, allowing drivers to charge their vehicles at home, work, and along major highways and corridors throughout the country. The initiative is supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which have significantly boosted public and private investments in EV infrastructure.
Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, the number of publicly available EV chargers has doubled, with over 192,000 charging ports now available and approximately 1,000 new chargers being installed weekly. The new funding will further expand this network, ensuring that EV charging stations are accessible in rural, suburban, urban, and tribal communities, thus supporting the transition to a clean energy economy.
Key Investments Include:
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Nearly $15 million will be allocated to install EV chargers at 53 sites citywide, focusing on areas lacking existing EV infrastructure and low-to-moderate-income communities. This project aims to support the city’s climate and equity goals by expanding EV access to all residents, especially those in neighborhoods with high ratios of multifamily housing units.
- Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, North Dakota: Approximately $3.9 million will be used to install community EV charging stations at eight locations across the reservation. These sites were chosen to serve as accessible hubs for tribal members and support the community’s transition to cleaner energy.
- Fort Independence Indian Community, California: Over $15 million will fund the installation of an EV charging hub along U.S. Route 395, a designated Alternative Fuel Corridor. The project will include a solar micro-grid with battery backup, contributing to emissions reductions and providing sustainable EV charging options.
- Atlanta, Georgia: Nearly $11.8 million will go towards creating a DC Fast Charging Hub at the Atlanta Airport, equipped with 50 DC fast chargers. This hub will serve various vehicles, including rental cars, rideshare services, airport shuttles, and the city’s electric fleet, while improving air quality in nearby underserved communities.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm emphasized the administration’s focus on building infrastructure from the “bottom up and the middle out,” noting that this investment will create good-paying jobs and provide more transportation options for all Americans, regardless of their geography or income level.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg highlighted the significance of these grants in ensuring that the benefits of EV technology, such as cost savings, health improvements, and climate benefits, reach Americans nationwide. The new infrastructure is expected to reduce pollution, lower transportation costs, and enhance access to EV charging, aligning with the President’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that disadvantaged communities receive 40% of the overall benefits of federal investments.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) continues to work closely with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to provide technical assistance for the planning and implementation of the national EV charging network. This collaborative effort aims to make EV charging as accessible and convenient as traditional fueling stations, accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and supporting a sustainable future for all Americans.
