Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Biden’s Department of Transportation and Department of Energy announced $5 billion towards a program that aims to build out a network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers across the nation, an investment out of the recently passed infrastructure law.
With today’s announcement, DOT also published guidance for states to apply for the funding and submit their charging deployment plans, with a focus on prioritizing access to rural and underserved communities. As part of Biden's "Justice40" initiative, the agencies said at least 40 percent of the benefits of these investments will go to disadvantaged communities.
The Biden administration estimates that approximately $15 billion will get the nation to half a million charging stations, and the Build Back Better Act supports another almost $7.3 billion.
In response to today’s announcement, Sierra Club Deputy Legislative Director Will Anderson released the following statement:
“We are pleased to see these critical funds going out the door to states to build electric vehicle chargers, an important investment to support our nation’s transition to electric vehicles and prioritize domestic manufacturing.
“What’s of utmost importance is how states develop their plans. They must make sure no community is left behind in the transition to clean transportation powered by renewable energy.
“In addition to fully funding the Biden administration’s goal of 500,000 chargers across the nation, the passage of legislation investing in climate, jobs, and justice will ensure that communities have access to a range of critical clean transportation priorities, including consumer incentives that support unionized workforces and credits for used EVs, electric school buses, and more accessible and frequent public transit service.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.