Washington, D.C.— The U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy announced today nearly $5 billion in federal funding that will be made available under the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In response to the announcement, Electrification Coalition Executive Director Ben Prochazka made the following statement:
“We applaud the U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation for the launch of this groundbreaking program, which will be a cornerstone in the transformation of our nation’s transportation system. This once-in-a-generation investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure will accelerate the electrification of our transportation sector and tangibly impact the daily lives of millions of Americans in communities across the nation.
“These investments will catalyze our transition away from a transportation system dependent on oil, leading to a safer, more secure world. The crisis in Ukraine clearly reveals the very real security threats that result from a transportation system that is tethered to petroleum. It is clear that we have no time to waste in the shift to electricity – an energy source that isn’t vulnerable to global actors who don’t share our interests or our values.
“We applaud the leadership from President Biden, Congress, and the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy in creating a robust and effective avenue through which to disburse these funds. In short order, we will see thousands of new charging stations in the ground in communities across the country – helping to make electric vehicles a viable, accessible and equitable transportation option for all.
“The Electrification Coalition looks forward to supporting the implementation process, and our sleeves are already rolled up to assist American communities as they seek to take full advantage of this exciting new opportunity.
“We look forward to continued work in Congress to enact the additional policies needed to accelerate the deployment and adoption of electric vehicles throughout the United States.”
The Electrification Coalition has a broad suite of tools and information resources to assist states, local governments, vehicle fleets and other stakeholders in the development of EV charging infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:
- The Dashboard for Rapid Vehicle Electrification (DRVE Tool) provides quick and easy analysis for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty fleet electrification. It can evaluate a variety of procurement ownership structures, vehicle types, electric vehicle charging configurations, and many more scenarios for fleet managers planning for electrification.
- The State Plug-In Adoption Resource Kit (SPARK) is an online database of resources and a step-by-step guide to help state government fleets adopt electric vehicles. Resources featured in SPARK’s searchable database include an inventory of fleet transition goals, policy guidance, case studies, legislation, technical support documents, and tools.
- “Electric Vehicles in Rural Communities” is a new guide that outlines a suite of recommendations and resources to accelerate the electrification of transportation outside the urban setting. It identifies the most effective strategies that rural towns and counties can use to expand charging infrastructure, transition fleets to electric vehicles, support EV adoption by consumers and harness electrification as an economic development opportunity.
- “Electrifying Transportation in Municipalities” is a policy toolkit for EV deployment and adoption at the local level. This report is designed to support local policymakers and advocates by providing a summary of the top transportation electrification policies that local agencies should consider.
The NEVI Formula Program will provide nearly $5 billion over five years to help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along the Interstate Highway System. The total amount available to states in Fiscal Year 2022 under the NEVI Formula Program is $615 million. States must submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan before they can access these 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.
More information about the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, including its funding programs, can be found at www.driveelectric.gov.
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advances policies and actions to facilitate the widespread deployment of electric vehicles in order to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil.