Stations in London, Ohio and Kingston, New York Are Historic Step Towards Building an Electrified Transportation System that is Convenient, Affordable, and Reliable for All Americans
KINGSTON, NEW YORK – The Biden-Harris Administration applauds Ohio and New York for opening America’s first electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations funded through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. A critical component of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to create good-paying American jobs building out reliable EV charging infrastructure with locations at least every 50 miles on highways. Since President Biden took office, EV sales have tripled, private investment has grown exponentially, and the number of publicly available charging ports has grown by 70%. The momentum is putting America ahead of schedule to reach the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of building a national network of 500,000 public EV charging ports by 2030.
“Thanks to President Biden, more and more EV chargers are coming online around the country as we work to deliver a nationwide network of charging stations by the end of the decade,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Securing America’s position as a world leader on EVs will grow our economy and create a new generation of good-paying jobs.”
“Ohio and New York are leading the charge across America with the historic openings of their NEVI-funded EV charging stations,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, every state across the nation, D.C., and Puerto Rico, will soon follow -building out a convenient, reliable, made-in-America charging network, boosting the economy by creating good-paying jobs and reducing costs for families across the country.”
“The openings of the EV charging stations in Ohio and New York are proof that Bidenomics is working. President Biden invested $7.5 billion in EV charging through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and we’re seeing huge results across the country because of it,” said Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu. “The President’s Investing in America agenda is building a convenient, reliable, made-in-America EV charging network nationwide that will help us tackle the climate crisis and position America as a leader in the clean energy economy.”
The new charging stations will fill gaps in charging, add capacity, and boost the reliability of our nation’s fast charging network. Those efforts will also be complemented by DOT’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, which provides $2.5 billion in grant funds to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in communities where people live and work.
EVs are critical to our rapid and equitable transition to clean transportation systems. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions-major contributors to climate change and key contributors to respiratory ailments. Widespread EV adoption reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, enhancing national energy security and reducing the vulnerability of transportation to oil price fluctuations. EVs also benefit from lower fuel and maintenance costs, saving consumers money compared to vehicles with internal combustion engines. The development and maintenance of a robust charging network will create jobs and stimulate economic growth in local communities, while public and private investments in EV charging infrastructure will catalyze technological innovation across multiple economic sectors.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation worked with all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, to strategically design an EV charging network that supports local and regional needs while covering the length and breadth of America’s roads. The result will be a system of EV corridors that eliminate range anxiety, encourage EV adoption, and facilitate long-distance travel with ease. NEVI is a concerted effort to ensure the EV future of tomorrow is thoughtfully planned, efficiently built, and meets the needs of all Americans, regardless of where they live.
Other new charging station launches will follow in the coming weeks and months with stations already under construction in Maine, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. In total, twenty-eight states have issued solicitations, and more than a dozen of these states have already awarded contracts or have agreements in place.