Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
NATIONWIDE - Today, the White House announced a series of actions focused on establishing a robust nationwide electric vehicle charging network. The actions include new and upcoming awards, funding opportunities, as well as public and private investments in EV charging.
One noteworthy investment is $7 million in planning and development grants for installing chargers for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles like trucks, buses, and delivery vans, crucial vehicle types to decarbonize in order to clean up air in communities across the country.
The U.S. Department of Transportation and Department of Energy finalized new standards to make the charging experience in the US more convenient and reliable for communities across the country, including when driving long distances.
These charging standards will:
- Help EV drivers easily locate charging stations through public data that provides clear pricing, availability, and accessibility information;
- Deliver reliable service by requiring that chargers are operational 97 percent of the time;
- Build public confidence through a predictable experience including consistent plug types and a sufficient number of chargers;
- Require strong workforce standards and that all electricians installing and maintaining the chargers receive Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program certification or U.S. Department of Labor certified equivalent.
The Federal Highway Administration also issued the implementation plan for Build America, Buy America requirements, which will spur production of Made-in-America EV chargers and create clean energy manufacturing jobs.
“Today’s announcement is a game changer for EV charging. These standards demonstrate the Biden administration’s deep commitment to electric vehicle charging infrastructure that is reliable, accessible, safe, and advances good-paying union jobs in the US,” said Katherine Garcia, Director of the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign.
"To meet our climate goals, EVs must be powered by a clean grid. These common-sense standards will speed up the decarbonization of both the transportation sector and the electric sector by ensuring that our battery-powered cars, charging stations, and electric utilities can easily communicate with one another,” said Joe Halso, Staff Attorney with the Sierra Club.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.