U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) announced Thursday that California will receive more than $56 million in federal funds to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along key roads and highways.
The funding, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will improve charger access for Low Angeles drivers, Bass said, and help protect Los Angeles’ environment while providing good-paying jobs and supporting American car manufacturers’ EV production.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for Los Angeles,” Bass said. “For too long, unreliable and inconsistent charging facilities have plagued our roads and highways, hampering drivers and our economy. These overdue investments will strengthen our state’s critical infrastructure — paving the way for cleaner, easier driving and supporting good-paying union jobs. I was proud to vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I remain committed to working with our state and local leaders to ensure that these funds are swiftly deployed to where drivers need them most.”
Currently, the 100,000 electric vehicle charging station network across the United States is insufficient to service the needs of an ever-growing population of EV owners. Those with EVs also struggle with inconsistent plug types, payment options, and data availability. Federal funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act would work toward expanding that network to 500,000 chargers while growing electric vehicle sales by 50 percent of the automobile market by 2030.
Over the next five years, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will distribute nearly $5 billion in funding to expand the electric vehicle charging station network across the United States.