President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure plan calls for $7.5 billion to fund expansion of the nation’s EV charging network; however, some Democrats believe the figure should be higher — 10 times higher at $85 billion.
Biden signed an executive order last week calling for 50% of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. to be electric by 2030. During that time, much of his infrastructure plan got some attention, including the push to expand the charging network.
However, a group of 28 House Democrats believe $7.5 billion isn’t nearly enough, pushing that $85 billion. The group, led by Michigan’s Debbie Dingell, penned a letter to congressional leaders asking them to considers spending more than what’s currently in the bill.
The bigger allocation will “help add utility electrical capacity to enable robust charging, increasing the supply of renewable energy, and build grid resilience in the face of climate change,” they wrote in the letter, according to Reuters.
The proposed plan
In the initial proposal, Biden wanted $174 billion in total spending on electric vehicles, including $100 billion in consumer incentives and $15 billion to build 500,000 EV charging stations. That’s been whittled down in the process.
However, the nearly 30 lawmakers believe the $85 million is necessary to ensure EV are viable for all vehicle owners, including those in lower income categories.
The bill should ensure charging for “disadvantaged communities, including on-street and public parking, multi-unit dwellings, public and affordable housing, public parks, public buildings, places of work, (and) commuter transit hubs.”
The revised plan could push spending up to $3.5 trillion, and includes provisions left out of the current bill being considered.
The bipartisan effort
Late last month, 67 Democratic and Republican senators reached agreement on a new trillion-dollar infrastructure bill that includes substantial investments in not only new roads, bridges and public transit but also rapidly expanding networks required for charging electric vehicles as well as the wider use of electric transit buses and school buses.
That vote is just the beginning of the process, but it is now underway. This deal makes key investments to put people to work all across the country, the White House proclaimed.
The deal also puts money behind the installation of a national network of EV charging stations, Biden saying the “bipartisan deal is the most important investment in public transit in American history and the most important investment in rail since the creation of Amtrak 50 years ago. It will deliver high speed internet to every American.”He also reiterated his pledge to do this “without raising taxes by one cent on people making less than $400,000 a year — no gas tax increase and no fee on electric vehicles.”
