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Today, the federal government’s Joint Energy and Transportation Agency launched a $2.5 billion program to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved communities. As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Voluntary Grant Program was approved, along with the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program.
For starters, the joint office is providing $700 million not only for EV chargers, but also for other alternative fuels such as hydrogen and natural gas.
The CFI program actually includes two separate $1.25 billion grant programs. The first is community charging in underserved and disadvantaged communities, both in urban and rural areas, especially in low- and middle-income areas and areas with low private parking rates. and refueling subsidies.
The other half is Alternative Fuel Corridor grants that fund the deployment of EV chargers and other alternative fuel infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors.
“Whether it’s high-power charging in highway corridors or city hubs, or level 2 charging where EV drivers and riders live and work, we’re giving EV drivers the right type of charging in the right place. It’s important to build a nationwide charging network that provides, and plays,” said Gabe Klein, Executive Director of the Joint Office. “Working with cities and communities through our CFI program to get this mix right will make electric riding and driving convenient and affordable for everyone.”
As we detailed recently, the $5 billion NEVI program for highway fast-charging infrastructure includes minimum standards for reliability and service, including a requirement for 97% uptime at the plug level. . These minimum standards and “Buy American” requirements also apply to anyone using CFI funds.
“Community grants provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act give state and local governments the flexibility to rapidly and sustainably deploy EV charging infrastructure in historically underserved communities. Projects supported by this funding will allow us to greatly expand the availability of charging for all Americans—especially in communities with high concentrations of multifamily housing. We commend the step and encourage applications for this important source of funding that supports the path to a zero-emission future.Transportation Association.
