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Friday 11 February 2022

States get go-ahead to build electric car charging stations

Continued from Front efits more from EVs in prin- emissions economy-wide
ciple than those who drive by 2050.
"A century ago, America the longest distances, often Electric vehicles amount-
ushered in the modern au- our rural Americans." ed to less than 3% of U.S.
tomotive era; now America The law provides an addi- new auto sales last year,
must lead the electric vehi- tional $2.5 billion for local but forecasters expect big
cle revolution," said Trans- grants, planned for later increases in the next dec-
portation Secretary Pete this year, to fill remaining ade. Consumers bought
Buttigieg, who will have gaps in the charging net- about 400,000 fully elec-
final signoff over most as- work in rural areas and in tric vehicles. According to
pects of the funding. disadvantaged commu- a Consumer Reports sur-
Buttigieg made the an- nities, which currently are vey, anxiety about limited
nouncement in front of the less likely to own the high- range and the availability
Transportation Department er-priced electric vehicles. of charging stations were
along with White House Chargers for electric cars are displayed at an opening cere- States failing to meet all the among the top concerns
officials, flanked by a pair mony for a Revel electric vehicle charging hub in the Brooklyn federal requirements risk consumers had about
of black Ford Mustang borough of New York, on June 29, 2021. delays in getting approval owning an EV.
Mach-E SUVs in the fed- Associated Press from the Federal Highway "It's going to help ensure
eral government's grow- to $60,000-plus including spaces of the U.S. no long- Administration or not get- that America leads the
ing electric fleet that he options, and they are cur- er need to be a "valley of ting money at all. world on electric vehicles,"
and Energy Secretary Jen- rently made in Mexico. death" for EV drivers. Biden also has set a goal of Biden said this week about
nifer Granholm drive. The Buttigieg made a special "Many might think of them 50% electric vehicle sales American companies ex-
vehicle's retail price starts appeal to rural drivers, sug- as a luxury item," he said. by 2030, part of a broad- panding EV infrastructure.
around $44,000 and climbs gesting that big wide open "The reality is nobody ben- er effort to become zero "China has been leading
the race up to now, but
this is about to change,"
he said. "Because America
is building convenient, reli-
able, equitable national
public charging networks.
So wherever you live,
charging an electric vehi-
cle will be quick and easy."
Granholm described the
initial $5 billion investment
as creating "the spine" of
the national network. Al-
luding to surging gasoline
prices, said the aim of the
new stations is to build "the
necessary infrastructure for
drivers across America to
save money and go the
distance."
The environmental group
Natural Resources Defense
Council praised the admin-
istration's quick start but
said much work remains to
be done. It said states, utili-
ties and private companies
will need to step up and fill
gaps in funding to ensure a
full public charging system
by 2035, estimated to cost
as much as $39 billion.
"We have no time to
lose," the group said in a
statement.q