Federal Funding to Boost Californian Electric Vehicle Charging Network

The U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation has given California the go ahead to begin using federal infrastructure funding to develop electric vehicle charging stations across the state’s interstates and highways resulting from the latest federal authorization of a joint proposal by Caltrans and the California Energy Commission. The approval of the California Deployment Plan for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI, program creates a preliminary $56 million in funding accessible to set up charging stations all over the state. The NEVI Program provides financing to states to strategically employ charging infrastructure and create an interconnected network to advance reliability, accessibility and data collection.

Over the next five years, California anticipates obtaining a total of $384 million for the program, funded by the federal 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The federal grant will build upon California’s significant $10 billion investment to speed up the change to zero emission vehicles by enhancing affordability and developing charging infrastructure.

The funding will combine with attempts to achieve a 6,600 mile state-wide charging network and implement 1.2 million chargers by 2030 to meet the expected charging requirements of California’s electric vehicle fleet. The new network is expected to increase charging access, particularly in the rural areas of the state, and help EV drivers charge up on long trips.

California’s NEVI plan concentrates on building rapid-charging locations near interstates, U.S. routes and state routes across the state. These charging stations will enhance the convenience and accessibility of charging alternatives, enhance the dependability of the charging network, and eliminate obstacles to accessing electric vehicles. Moreover, the financing will also encourage enhancements to current infrastructure, charging stations’ operation and maintenance expenses, stakeholder participation, workforce training, and associated mapping and signage.

California remains the country’s lead in all zero emission vehicle metrics, which incorporates the highest amount of public financing and the most widespread public charging infrastructure.