With a Tritium tram charger in the background, President Joe Biden spoke Tuesday in Washington, with Jane Hunter, CEO of Tritium. (AP)
WASHINGTON – States are underway to build a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations that will place new or upgraded stations every 50 miles (80 km) along interstate highways, partially part of the Biden administration’s plan to promote widespread adoption of zero-emissions cars.
The administration on Thursday announced the availability of $5 billion in federal funds to states over five years. President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Lawoutlines a vision of seamless travel by climate-friendly automobile from coast to coast.
Under new requirements issued by the Department of Transportation, states must submit plans to the federal government and could begin construction this fall if they focus first on highways, instead of neighborhoods and shopping malls, could allow people to ride trams for long distances. . Each station will need to have at least four fast charging ports, which will help the driver fully charge the car in about an hour.
A joint office between the Departments of Transportation and Energy will help provide guidance to states on how to build networks, while also focusing on serving rural and disadvantaged communities. If states do not fully meet the requirements, they risk delays in getting approval from Federal Highway Administration or receive no federal money at all.
“A century ago, America ushered in the modern automobile era; Now America must lead the electric vehicle revolution,” said Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who will have the final say on most aspects of funding. “The president’s bipartisan Infrastructure Act will help us win the electric car race by working with states, the workforce and the private sector to roll out a historic toll network.” Nationwide will make electric vehicle charging accessible to more Americans.”
The law also provides an additional $2.5 billion in local grants, planned for later this year, to fill gaps left in charging networks in rural areas and communities. difficult situation, where it is currently less likely to own higher priced electric vehicles.
Biden pledged during the presidential campaign to build an inclusive network first 500,000 charging stations. He has also set a target of 50% of electric vehicle sales by 2030, part of a broader US effort to become zero emissions across the economy by 2050.
Tram up to less than 3% of the new US car sales last year, but forecasters expect big gains over the next decade. Consumers bought about 400,000 all-electric vehicles. According to a Consumer Reports survey, concerns about limited range and availability of charging stations are among the top concerns consumers have about owning an electric vehicle.
“We are modernizing America’s national highway system so motorists in cities large and small, towns and rural communities take advantage of the benefits of being on the road,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. electric car driver. Allusion to Petrol prices soar already in the pockets of Americans, she said the aim is to build “the necessary infrastructure for motorists across the United States to save money and travel long distances.”
There are more than 50,000 charging station locations in the US, with more than 100,000 outlets. Senior administration officials now describe the money in the infrastructure law as the first step toward hitting the half-million goal by 2030, after Biden’s $15 billion proposal for charging stations was cut in half . They envision new construction that could spur further large investments from the private sector.
Electric vehicle owners can now charge at home up to 80% of the time, making the need for EV charging stations at colleges, apartment parking lots, or even on public streets disappear. necessary. But that may change as more and more people don’t have garages to park charging stations for electric vehicles.
Under the Department of Transportation plan, states will be eligible to build tram stations in neighborhoods and cities after the Federal Highway Administration and Buttigieg certify that they are complete. commitments to the highway tram toll network, known as alternative fuels lobby.
Direct current fast charger, can charge car up to 80% the battery capacity for 20 to 45 minutes, quite expensive, from $40,000 to $100,000, limits the amount that can be built, but they allow the driver to return quickly on a road such as a highway .
Charger running on 240-volt electricity is similar to the energy of a much cheaper clothes dryer, around $2,000. They take about eight hours to fully charge a car and are expected to be the next step in construction next year in places where people stay for extended periods of time.
