The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

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Biden administration plan calls for $5 billion network of electric vehicle chargers along interstates

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/02/10/electric-vehicle-charging/

Various groups disagree about the proximity of chargers. A group of Western state transportation departments said the current 50-mile standard was hard to meet in rural areas. But the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents major carmakers, said the distance should be closer to offer convenience similar to filling up at a gas station.

Ultimately, the federal government will consider a particular corridor fully built out when it has at least four 150-kilowatt charging points every 50 miles, with limited exceptions. Once states meet that goal, they can use their remaining money for other charging projects.

States have until Aug. 1 to submit plans for using the money. If states don’t submit a plan or don’t take steps to implement it, the federal transportation department can withhold money or give it to local governments. The Federal Highway Administration is set to approve plans by Sept. 30.

The infrastructure legislation includes another $2.5 billion the Transportation Department can use to target rural areas or city neighborhoods with poor access to charging. Officials say they expect to set out plans for that funding later this year.

On Tuesday, President Biden hosted the chief executive of Australian charging company Tritium at the White House. The company is planning to open a manufacturing plant in Tennessee to make 30,000 chargers a year.