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Where are the gov't-backed public EV chargers?
Colin Velez
June 06, 2024
Top line: A government-funded program aiming to launch 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations across the U.S. has built only seven units since its launch in 2021.
Why it matters: Public charging infrastructure is often cited as a key stepping stone toward widespread EV adoption, as it would do much to ease consumer range anxiety. However, the number of EV models on the market has rapidly expanded, and the number of charging stations has grown at a snail’s pace, raising red flags for proposed electrification timelines.
The sluggish rollout of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program has garnered criticism from both sides of the aisle, with some lawmakers questioning how the combined $7.5 billion in funding is being used.
Key quote: Speaking during a Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) committee hearing, Senator Jeff Merkley called the program, now in its third year, “a vast administrative failure.”
“Something is terribly wrong and it needs to be fixed,” he added.
Behind the scenes: A complicated regulatory landscape continues to make it challenging for the fledgling government-funded charging network to expand. Shailen Bhatt, chief of the Federal Highway Administration, explained that the agency was still refining the program and how it coordinated charger rollouts with states, who are responsible for determining the sites and organizing construction.
Time is ticking: While the number of chargers in the U.S. has grown exponentially since 2020 and now stands at roughly 183,000, that total still pales in comparison to the minimum 1.2 million needed by 2030, according to some estimates.
Bottom line: The current pace of charger construction remains underwhelming considering the year-over-year growth of EV sales. More investment from public and private interests will be crucial to achieving the electrification goals set by lawmakers and car manufacturers.
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