Up to $2.5 billion in federal funds are being made available for the construction of electric vehicle charging stations across the country.
The Department of Transportation has announced that what is being called the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program has as its goal the building of an anticipated network of around half a million new charging stations by the year 2030.
In making the funding available, said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement: “We are taking another big step forward in creating an electric vehicle future that is convenient, affordable, reliable, and accessible to all Americans.”
According to a press release issued by the DOT, the new stations may go up anywhere, “along designated highways, interstates, and major roadways.”
Notes the publication Utility Drive: the grants may also support the construction “parking facilities at public buildings, public schools, and public parks, or in publicly accessible parking facilities owned or managed by a private entity.”
In the last two years, the DOT has provided up to $700 million in funding for the construction of electric vehicle charging stations. That funding has been available for use by cities, counties, local governments, and Tribal Nations.
Also eligible: Special purpose districts or public authorities with a transportation function, including port authorities.
Applications for the charging and fueling infrastructure grant program have a submission deadline of May 30 and can be sent via the website Grants.gov.
By Garry Boulard
