02.10.22

Cantwell: Nationwide EV Charging Network Will Shift America Out of Park

state anticipated to receive at least $71 million from the program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement after the Departments of Transportation and Energy announced an historic $5 billion investment to expand electric vehicle recharging stations across the country from funds Congress allocated in the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Washington state currently has approximately 1,600 electric vehicle (EV) recharging stations. The state is expected to receive $10.4 million in 2022 and $71 million over five years in formula funding and will be eligible for additional grants from an additional $2.5 billion Congress designated for another EV recharging grant program.

“Pivoting to electric vehicles is a smart play, but America will be stuck in park until we build out the necessary recharging infrastructure,” said Senator Cantwell. “Not only are electric vehicles the answer to spiking pump prices and our overdependence on oil, they are essential to addressing the looming climate crisis.  That’s especially true in Washington state where our clean and affordable energy system means local EV owners can save around $11,000 by fueling their cars with electricity instead of gasoline while greatly reducing their carbon footprint.”

This funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program was made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program is expected to increase the number of EV recharging stations nationwide from about 53,000 today to 500,000 within five years.

According to the Department of Transportation, states must submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan before they can access the funds. A second, competitive grant program designed to further increase EV charging access in locations throughout the country, including in rural and underserved communities, will be announced later this year. The new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation also launched a new website this week at DriveElectric.gov. There, officials can find links to technical assistance, data and tools for states, and careers.

Senator Cantwell has been the leading Congressional advocate for the transition to electric vehicles. Cantwell’s legislation, the FAST Electricity Act, would create a landmark new 30% federal tax incentive to help build the market and spur the adoption of electric powered vehicles, as is including in the pending Build Back Better legislative package. The FAST Electricity Act would include incentives to electrify marine and port vehicles. In 2008, Senator Cantwell partnered with former Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) to author the current $7,500 tax incentive available for electrified passenger vehicle buyers. This credit is often cited as a key catalyst for growing the electric car and truck market from essentially nothing 15 years ago to the hundreds of models that consumers will be able to choose from in the next year or two.

Additional NEVI program guidance can be found HERE.

A full list of fiscal year 2022 formula funding amounts for each state can be found HERE.

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