Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
noah@electrification.org, (202) 461-2371
WASHINGTON—Today, the Biden administration, Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Energy (DOE), Joint Office, and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced $622 million in awards for 47 projects in 24 states and territories through the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. These collective awards will deploy 7,500 EV charging ports across urban and rural communities as a mix of Level 2 and DC Fast Charging options to meet community and transportation corridor charging needs. The majority of awarded CFI grants announced will also be focused on incorporating disadvantaged and Justice40 communities, prioritizing those neighborhoods most vulnerable to climate change and air pollutants.
The $2.5 billion CFI grant program is a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), working in tandem with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, carrying a $7.5 billion allocation to support the deployment of 500,000 EV chargers in the United States over five years. The program is designed to deploy charging along alternative fuel corridors and in communities, focusing on safety, sustainability, equity, and workforce development.
Earlier this week, the federal government also awarded $1 billion in grants through the Clean School Bus Grant Program and $32 million for various EV and EV infrastructure projects through the Vehicle Technologies Office.
Electrification Coalition Executive Director Ben Prochazka released the following statement:
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act are providing critical down payments on our transportation future that will not only end our nation’s dependence on oil but will also create important economic opportunities in communities around the country. They are also helping reduce one of the most significant barriers to EV adoption: the availability of charging.
“This legislation is also spurring leadership and investments from the private sector that is already increasing manufacturing capacity. CFI, along with other local, state, and federal funding, will be a catalyst to accelerate EV adoption and end oil’s monopoly on our transportation systems. We applaud the Biden-Harris administration and the members of Congress who passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, ensuring that the U.S. is a leader in the global transition to electric transportation.
“While the CFI funding released today is a critical investment in an electric transportation future and will accelerate the electrification of cars, trucks, and buses, there was incredible demand, and there is still more work that needs to be done. Fortunately, there are additional resources that communities can pursue. The EC’s EV Funding Finder includes information on the hundreds of millions of dollars that are being deployed by the federal government to increase charging infrastructure and accelerate EV adoption, including:
- Round two of the CFI program, expected to roll out in the spring of 2024
- Funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program
- Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
- Tax credits for vehicles and infrastructure, including the new elective pay option for government entities
“The EC will also focus on working directly with awarded applicants through the next steps of implementation and with interested parties looking to apply to subsequent CFI rounds. This includes a CFI Round 1 Debrief Webinar on January 31, and EC’s leadership on CFI Educational Bootcamps through the Local Infrastructure Hub, currently open for registration.
“The EC provides technical support and resources for governments and businesses seeking funding and working to electrify transportation. We encourage those to contact infrastructure@electrificationcoalition.org and look forward to working with the federal government and local governments to continue deploying EV charging stations across the country.”
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. ElectrificationCoalition.org