The effort to build out a more comprehensive EV charging network in the United States received a boost Tuesday, when the Department of Transportation announced it has approved Electric Vehicle Charging infrastructure plans for all 50 States plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg:

We have approved plans for all 50 States, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia to help ensure that Americans in every part of the country – from the largest cities to the most rural communities—can be positioned to unlock the savings and benefits of electric vehicles.

This approval unlocks more than $1.5 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to help build EV charging networks covering 75,000 miles of highway in the U.S., according to the USDOT statement.

• $1 Trillion Bill Passed in November 2021
• Allocates $5 billion for states to improve their EV charging networks over five years
• Today’s announcement unlocks the first $1.5 billion of that money.

The Specifics

States have some discretion as to how they spend the money. The funding can be used for projects related to EV charging, including:

• • Upgrade of existing and construction of new EV charging infrastructure
  • Operation and maintenance costs of these charging stations
  • Installation of on-site electrical service equipment
  • Community and stakeholder engagement
  • Workforce development activities
  • EV charging station signage
  • Data sharing activities
  • Related mapping analysis and activities