Claims have emerged suggesting that the Biden administration has spent $7.5 billion to build only eight electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. These assertions, shared by some prominent figures including members of Congress, misrepresent the facts regarding the allocation and use of funds by the 2021 Infrastructure and Jobs Act.
The 2021 Infrastructure and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allocated a total of $7.5 billion to develop a national network of publicly accessible EV charging stations. President Biden’s administration aims to establish 500,000 chargers by 2030, significantly enhancing the country’s electric vehicle infrastructure.
Contrary to claims, the $7.5 billion is not the amount spent so far but the total funding set aside for this initiative. Currently, the Federal Highway Administration reports 214 operational chargers funded by the law across 12 states, with 24,800 additional projects in progress nationwide.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed the issue on social media, stating that the claims circulating online were inaccurate. He clarified that the federally funded chargers are constructed by individual states, not the federal government, and the majority are expected to be built in the latter part of the 2020s.
The funding consists of two main programs: the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI) and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI). NEVI allocates $5 billion through a formula to state transportation departments annually until 2026, with funds available until 2030. Meanwhile, CFI grants are awarded through an application process, targeting underserved and disadvantaged communities.
Specific figures such as Rep. Michael Rulli have falsely claimed on social media that the entire budget has been depleted. Rulli’s assertions, shared widely and garnering significant attention, misinform the public. The reality is that only four states—Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii—had operational stations funded under the law as of early this year.
Loren McDonald, an analyst in the EV charging sector, highlighted that different states have varied levels of experience with EV infrastructure development. Some have had to adapt significantly, like Wisconsin, which needed new legislation to align with federal guidelines. McDonald noted that while this is a federal program, its execution relies heavily on states, suggesting criticisms focus more on state-level progress.
All states and territories have access to multiple funding rounds. As of this writing, 37 states have tapped into their third round of NEVI funding, totaling an additional $586 million. This figure represents potential future projects rather than present expenditures.
The Federal Highway Administration has announced over $1.3 billion in awards through CFI and NEVI, with $779 million in grants available. While there are over 203,000 publicly accessible charging ports in the U.S. today, the number is more than double what it was in 2021. Besides government funding, incentives and private investments also contribute to this growth.
The widespread claims about the Biden administration’s spending on EV charging stations misinterpret the facts pertaining to the 2021 Infrastructure and Jobs Act. The funding is part of a broader, long-term strategy to improve electric vehicle infrastructure nationwide, with a timeline stretching into the next decade. As states continue to build out this network, the initiatives set forth aim to advance accessibility and support for electric vehicle adoption in the United States.
Source: Apnews
