The National EV Charging Initiative held the National EV Charging Summit last week to discuss the future of electric vehicle charging and the deployment of electric vehicles. The Initiative launched in August 2021 to bring together automakers, power providers, electric vehicle and charging industry leaders, labor, and public interest groups to support federal action on a national charging network.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which was passed in 2021 was also discussed at the Summit. The law provides the largest investment to date in EV infrastructure, allocating $7.5 billion in funding for the construction of a national network of 500,000 new EV charging stations.
The money is split into $5 billion in funding for states and $2.5 billion in grants for communities and corridors to establish EV charging stations, especially in underserved and rural communities.
During the Summit, many participants spoke on the opportunities that EV charging stations present as a profitable industry for private investment.
“It’s important that independent automotive repair shops be included in the conversation about EV infrastructure,” said Fred Hules Jr., chairman of the Automotive Service Association (ASA). “In addition to accessibility of EV charging stations, shops must have access to training, data and the tools necessary for the repair of these vehicles. ASA is focused on our members being prepared as the U.S. vehicle fleet transitions to EVs and other technologies.”
In addition to the $7.5 billion in funding, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also authorized the creation of a joint office of the Department of Energy and Department of Transportation that is focused on EV infrastructure and deployment.
Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg said that the administration is moving quickly to send money to states and local communities for EV charging, and she predicted that money would be available “in the coming months”.
