As automakers, the government, and consumers are well aware at this point, one of the biggest – if not the biggest – obstacles in the way of mass EV adoption is an inadequate charging infrastructure. Aside from the simple lack of chargers across the U.S. compared to gas stations, many experience technical issues that can make charging rather inconvenient or even impossible in some cases, which is precisely why Ford and many other automakers are signing deals with the Tesla to gain access to its reliable Supercharger network. At the same time, FoMoCo has joined the National Charging Experience Consortium to try and tackle charging challenges, while the Biden Administration has thus far earmarked billions in funding to support the EV pivot in all 50 states. Now, that same administration has revealed that it’s also allocating $100 million toward EV charger repair, too.
The Biden Administration has opened up applications for the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator, which will provide up to $100 million in federal funding that will be used to repair and replace existing but non-operational, EV charger units across the country. The idea behind this investment is to ensure that existing EV chargers are operational and reliable, and it’s intended to spur additional job creation, to boot.
This funding is part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which earmarks $5 billion dollars toward the build out of EV charging sites and sets aside 10 percent of that total that will be used to issue grants to states and localities that require additional assistance to strategically deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The first round of funding will focus on improving the reliability of the current network by repairing or replacing existing EV chargers, however.
The administration estimates that the initial $100 million in funding for EV charger repair will most likely cover the cost of all eligible projects, and the funds will be awarded through an application process encompassing both publicly and privately owned chargers accessible to the public. A recent analysis found that out of the 151,506 public chargers currently in service, 6,261 (4.1 percent) were temporarily unavailable.
We’ll have more on the ongoing investments into EV expansion soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comments
Tax payer $$$$$$ supporting a failed scheme to destroy life as we know it.
YEAH…STOP SUBSIDIZING BIG OIL
At least with big oil I get 6000 other products to boot. With EVs all I get is one. And I already have it.
And you say 4% with a straight face?
Haha ! Yeah!
In the Buffalo, NY area (Western NY) about half of the very few charging points available are busted…. Meanwhile as far as I know, all the gasoline dispensers work just fine. ChargePoints are in general Junk, appropriately named (ON THE) BLINK chargers are living up to their name.
Another issue is too many different networks, and absolutely NO chargers available for the Caddy 2 year ‘unlimited free charging’ at EVGO stations… Partner ChargePoint will work with the $500 BOLT offer, but won’t honor Cadillac Charging offer…
I wonder if ANY of the people REMOTELY associated with public recharging stations ever went to High School, let alone graduated from it?
I don’t see how private businesses not keeping their chargers working is a taxpayer problem. Those charging businesses should be charging more if they can’t afford to fix the chargers.
Laughable. The entire EV transition is the ultimate pipe dream. Only Tesla has a clue how to do this. Completing a sufficient EV infrastructure is at least 20 years away. By then, a zero emission form of combustion will be developed and the EV thing will be a 25 year blip in transportation history.
Must have warranties on them same as the Auto manufacturers, “that part is covered!”
I’m going to embrace EV’s when the range is past 700 miles and one can get a charge in 10 minutes that will get me at least 200 miles. Also looking forward when the price of EV’s coming down. Will I have to wait another 5 to 7 years. Am I being realistic ?
I stopped at a rest stop in Connecticut. Their chargers were $.60 a kwh. That seems pretty expensive.
If this was such a good idea the govt wouldn’t have to throw money at it. The market would drive itself.
Until you can fully charge an EV in 5 minutes and not blow up the battery this isn’t going to work. I am all for EVs being used where it’s the most sense but for now driving beyond a full charge is ridiculous.
Posting a flat $x.xx amount per 30 minute and/ or 60 minute charge would make more sense. $.60/kwh means nothing to the average consumer who would need to charge their vehicle. That is also part of the confusion.
A lot of folks here I see have no knowledge of EVs. Besides Tesla’s supercharging network, all the others are generally not very dependable. I love my Model Y, and I will never buy an ICE car again. No oil changes, no tune ups, no gas, and I have spent $140 on maintenance in 22 months. Only paid for cabin filter replacement and tire rotation. Trolls believe they are being forced to buy an EV, LOL. No one is forcing you to buy an EV, its your choice with dated tech.