Pete Buttigieg's $100M initiative to address EV charging problems

author: FutureCar Staff    

The Biden administration has approved a $100 million effort to repair and replace broken electric vehicle chargers, according to an announcement by the Department of Transportation. United States Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg revealed in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that he has personally encountered issues while trying to charge his vehicle.

The Department of Transportation's press release states that the federal funding will be used to fix existing non-operational electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Secretary Buttigieg praised President Biden's leadership in advancing the electric vehicle revolution and emphasized the importance of building a reliable charging network that is accessible nationwide.

In his interview with the WSJ, Buttigieg admitted that, like many EV drivers, he has faced challenges in finding reliable charging stations for his hybrid minivan. He recounted a recent experience at a park where a charger was not functioning properly. He highlighted the need to ensure that access to charging is as reliable as access to fuel for gas cars, emphasizing the importance of both quantity and quality.

According to the Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center, 4.1% of public charging stations were temporarily unavailable. Additionally, a report from J.D. Power found that 20% of drivers who visited a charging station did not use it due to various reasons, including failing chargers.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm commended President Biden for investing in the national EV charging infrastructure, particularly in chargers made in the U.S.A. She stated that this investment is a crucial step towards revitalizing the current charging infrastructure and making EV driving more affordable, reliable, and convenient.

The Department of Transportation estimates that the funding will fully cover the repair and replacement costs of all eligible publicly and privately owned charging stations. To be eligible for the federal funding, charging stations must be available to the public without any restrictions.

Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt believes that the investment in the charging network will drive increased demand for EVs among drivers. The Biden administration plans to invest billions of dollars to build a more reliable and accessible EV charging network, aiming for 1.2 million public chargers by 2030. This plan will require up to $55 billion in public and private capital investment and is expected to result in significant consumer savings from reduced fuel and maintenance costs.

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FutureCar Staff