The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) on Wednesday said it would be taking applications for up to $100 million in grants to improve electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
The grants, part of the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program, will provide grant funding to repair and replace existing but non-operational EV charging infrastructure. Officials said the grants would complement investments in the private sector to create a reliable, equitable EV infrastructure.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, America is leading the electric vehicle revolution. This funding represents the latest step toward building a convenient, affordable, reliable charging network that reaches every corner of our nation,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
Part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, the funding is part of a 10 percent set-aside for states and localities that require additional assistance to deploy EV charging stations. The first round of funding, official said, will repair or replace existing EV charging infrastructure, while larger-scale investments are made to deploy new stations.
“Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are building up a national EV charging network with chargers Made in the U.S.A.,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Today’s investment is a pivotal step toward revitalizing our current charging infrastructure making EV driving cheaper, more reliable, and more convenient.”
FHA said the available $100 million should cover replacing or repairing all eligible projects – both publicly and privately owned. Funding will be awarded through a streamlined application process, the agency said.