The U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT) has approved electric vehicle (EV) charging station plans for all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
The November 2021 $1 trillion infrastructure bill earmarks $5 billion to help states install EV chargers along interstate highways over five years. USDOT reports states now have access to more than $1.5 billion to add EV chargers.
USDOT recommends states:
Fund DC Fast Chargers
Install stations with at least four ports capable of simultaneously charging four EVs
Put EV charging infrastructure every 50 miles along interstate highways
Locate chargers within 1 mile of highways.
Federal funds will cover 80% of EV charging costs, with private or state funds making up the balance.
The chargers will be needed to meet President Biden’s goal that 50% of all new vehicles sold to be electric or plug-in hybrid electric models by 2030. Biden wants 500,000 new EV charging stations in place by then, but has not endorsed phasing out new gasoline-powered vehicle sales by 2035.
California's Air Resources Board in contrast has approved that all new vehicles sold in the state by 2035 to be electric or plug-in electric hybrids, but this move still be approved by the Biden administration before it can take effect.
