States get final OK to build EV charging network highway
To highway locations near you new electric vehicle charging stations are on their way, potential car buyers say.
All 50 states received final approval on Tuesday that places one roughly every 50 miles (80 kilometres) along interstate highways, to begin construction on a first nationwide network of EV charging stations, to spur widespread adoption of zero-emission cars part of the Biden administration’s plan.
The Transportation Department said from a last set of 17 states it had OK’d EV charger plans, triggering the release of $1.5 billion in federal funds to all jurisdictions nationwide or 75,000 miles (120,000 kilometres) of highway from coast to coast, with a goal of 500,000 EV chargers nationwide $5 billion over five years to install or upgrade chargers. The other 33 states and the District of Columbia were approved earlier this month.
At existing highway EV stations in states such as California, Colorado by year’s end, drivers could start seeing expansions and upgrades, Florida and Pennsylvania that now feature at least four fast-charger ports, to fully recharge in about an hour enabling EVs. By next spring construction of new EV charging locations could begin.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said “In the last century America led the original automotive revolution, and we’re poised to lead in the 21st century with electric vehicles”.
To unlock the savings and benefits of electric vehicles he said the plans will help ensure that Americans in every part of the country from the largest cities to the most rural communities can be positioned.
Toward building widespread acceptance and use of electric vehicles among consumers the approval is a major step, over EVs’ shorter range and limited availability of public chargers who most often express hesitancy.
Joe Biden, President has set a goal that 50% of new U.S. car sales be electric by 2030, and his administration touts new tax credits next year of up to $7,500 as making electric vehicles accessible for everyday Americans.
For a highway EV network, the five-year plans suggest a potentially long and bumpy road ahead, with states citing risks such as a lack of electricity grid capacity, supply chain shortages and equity concerns.
California and Florida say their grid should be able to handle increased capacity of a million or more EVs, other states aren’t so sure, while Texas.
In its plan New Mexico said “In future years capacity will become a concern as charging infrastructure and EVs become more ubiquitous”.
“To incur significant costs to maintain grid reliability and create challenges for grid operators unmanaged or unplanned for EV charging could cause utilities” and that some locations “may also necessitate intensive grid upgrades and buildout”, Vermont wrote.
Of EV charging station equipment Mississippi cited potential shortages, which it said “may cause significant setbacks” in construction. To acquire charging stations that meet the American-made provisions several states also expressed concern that they would not be able.
“By several years it may delay implementation”, New Jersey officials wrote.
With Level 2 chargers that are cheaper but take a few hours to provide a full charge under the Transportation Department requirements, states also must focus first on more expensive fast chargers on highway routes that typically cost $40,000 to $100,000 to install, rather than keying in on neighbourhoods and communities.
Typically at single family houses, currently, electric vehicle owners charge their vehicles at home 80% of the time. To house a charging station buy EVs but that is likely to change as the less affluent who don’t have a garage.
To fill remaining gaps in the charging network in rural areas and in disadvantaged communities Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law provides an additional $2.5 billion for local grants, which have charging stations readily available near them or less likely to own the higher-priced electric vehicles. On Tuesday, the Federal Highway Administration said that it will begin taking applications for that money later this year.
Source:- https://livenewzus.com/states-get-final-ok-to-build-ev-charging-network-highway/
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