Despite the Biden administration handing out $5 billion with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program to aid in the construction of a U.S. national EV charging network that will help facilitate the electrification of the American passenger vehicle fleet, only eight charging stations have been built two years later out of 593 planned sites.
America’s decentralized approach to awarding contracts and constructing the charging network is the speed bump preventing faster buildout according to a report by Automotive News.
Each state is responsible for its own network planning, bidding process with contractors, and fund distribution, a situation further complicated by the mix of publicly owned and private power companies operating locally in each region. Slightly less than half of U.S. states—23 in all—have actually awarded contracts to network-building companies.
In that group, actual charging charging stations have been built in just six states. The individual state with the most stations built thanks to the program is New York, where three charging stations have been constructed after two years. Hawaii, Maine, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Vermont each have one operational station.
The number of stations contracted for building is also low in many cases. For example, Vermont’s single existing station is also the only station in the state for which a contract was awarded to a company. Only four states – Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin – currently have plans to build 50 or more stations on their territory.
Low EV numbers in many states are also making state governments reluctant to build chargers that will barely be used but for which they will need to pay upkeep nevertheless. A total of 87 electric vehicles were sold in Wyoming during Q1 2024, underlining the reasons why state officials paused the charging network program for much of 2023.
The situation is something of a catch-22, with Americans reluctant, in part, to buy more EV units because of a lack of charging infrastructure and state governments delaying charger construction because of low electric vehicle sales. A recent study shows EV purchase consideration is shrinking specifically because of concern about poor charging station availability – though a more optimistic study predicts an EV sales explosion in the later 2020s.
Meanwhile, GM is outdoing every state in the union with its own electric vehicle charging network program. Partnered with Pilot Travel Centers LLC and EVgo Inc, The General opened about 25 charging stations in the United States by the end of 2023.
GM’s partner EVgo is skeptical of National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding. The states’ glacial scheduling, poor coordination with electric companies, and requirements for letters of credit or bid bonds all make the company steer clear of the process.
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At a time of year when luxury car ATP usually rises.
Sales decreased 5.6 percent to 16,670 units during the first ten months of 2024.
Specifically critical minerals supply chain development.
Scheduled for a Spring 2025 launch.
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Government has been building roads for more than 100 years. Give it another 98 years for EV charging stations.
Government is falling what is new? Not even demand meets not enough workers and supply . Government 101
WTF, when autos first came on scene 120 plus years ago there wasn't a govt push and funded by govt to build gas stations! We didn't outlaw the horse in so many years to force folks to by cars. This is the same thing today. If the need was truly there then the private sector would kick in. Just some random thoughts that have nothing to do with most of the comments here. Stop forcing a product that no one wants. If EVs are the future (sarcasm mode here) then build what the public wants instead of forcing us to purchase what we don't. Oh, I forgot, the govt knows what is needed . Big sigh!
I just completed my second 2400 mile road trip with a 2024 Cadillac Lyriq. I stopped at three of the new Flying J GM Energy Ultium EVgo chargers. They are outstanding as they are pull through chargers, covered and very fast. I’ve had multiple Texas road trips ( San Antonio - El Paso-Dallas-Houston) primarily charging with Electrify America and EVgo. Chargers are in locations that allows one to dine and/or shop while charging. It will be even better once we have the adapters to use Tesla Superchargers
All this talk is worthless. As atmospheric CO2 levels continue to rise the world over, humans are making steady progress to their demise. Unfortunately, EVs alone will not save us from ourselves. My lifelong motto has been..."I'd really like to be an optimist, but I'm just afraid that it wouldn't work out."
Jan,
Would bet that if we were to shut down all of the coal fired plants and garage every combustion engined car, truck, train, and plane that exists, planet temps would still rise and Davos would still clamor for more restrictive controls and a new world order.
It's not about power, it's about POWER.
Well, since the earth has indeed been getting warmer since the last ice age, I believe that is a safe bet.
Exactly!
Watch the 13 minute video Tom Heller posted “My Gift to Climate Alarmists”, and then you’ll perhaps start to understand how the Government is manipulating us.
I drive a 21 VW ID.4 and I love it. But I do crave more charging opportunities when I'm not at home.
Maybe instead of trying to create artificial competition. We should just reward the existing station owners/builders so that they can continue to build, maintain and expand already existing stations. That'd be way faster. They're already doing something that works. Just keep doing it - here's 5 billion dollars. You'd have way more than three stations built.
Ppl who never driven or owned an EV should not comment anything about EVs. However in 10 years there are Tesla superchargers all across the world. Slow I do not think so. EVs not working in the cold but NO problems in Norway where COLD is real but EVs and charging work and lots of ppl drive EVs especially Tesla vehicles.