Your Tax Dollars At Work: The $7.5 Billion EV Charging Investment - A Closer Look
Your Tax Dollars At Work: A $7.5 Billion Investment Yields Only 7 EV Charging Stations in Two Years
Investment in Electric Vehicles: A Slow Return
Many taxpayers often complain about the inefficient use of their money by the government, and this case might be a prime example of their concerns. Over the past two years, a whopping $7.5 billion has been invested in electric vehicles (EVs), yet only seven charging stations have been established across four states.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and EV Charging
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed into law by President Biden in November 2021, allocated $7.5 billion for EV charging, according to The Washington Post. Out of this sum, $5 billion was distributed to states as "formula funding" under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. This program aimed to create a network of fast chargers along major highways.
Results So Far: Seven Chargers and 38 Parking Spots
As of now, there are only seven chargers with a total of 38 parking spots. Even The Post, known for its rigorous reporting, has pointed out the disappointing results. With the Biden administration's new emissions rules necessitating more electric and hybrid vehicles, the slow development of charging infrastructure could potentially impede the transition to electric cars. While twelve states have awarded contracts for charging station construction, 17 states are yet to issue proposals for the same.
Concerns Over the Slow Rollout of EV Chargers
Alexander Laska, deputy director for transportation and innovation at the center-left think tank Third Way, expressed his concern about the timeline of this project to The Post. The slow progress of new EV chargers can be attributed to higher standards compared to previous fast chargers. The U.S. currently has nearly 10,000 fast charging stations, including over 2,000 reliable Tesla Superchargers. However, chargers not made by Tesla often face performance issues.
Challenges in Meeting New Standards
New rules from the Biden administration require chargers to be 97% operational, offer 150kW power, and be located within one mile of highways. While these standards are crucial, they slow down progress due to their complexity, permitting challenges, and power demands. The NEVI program aims to increase fast charging capacity by 50% to alleviate "range anxiety," but this requires building the chargers first.
Concerns Over Mismanagement of Taxpayer Dollars
Last month, Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) and Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) expressed their concerns to the Biden Administration about the potential mismanagement of American taxpayer dollars. Nick Nigro, founder of Atlas Public Policy, added that state transportation agencies, which are the recipients of the funds, had little to no experience in deploying electric vehicle charging stations before this law was enacted.
Response from the Federal Highway Administration
In response, the Federal Highway Administration stated: “We are building a national EV charging network from scratch, and we want to get it right. After developing program guidance and partnering with states to guide implementation plans, we are hitting our stride as states move quickly to bring NEVI stations online.” A White House spokesperson added that more Americans are buying EVs every day, with EV sales rising faster than traditional gas-powered cars, thanks to the President’s Investing in America agenda.
Closing Thoughts
It's clear that the transition to electric vehicles is a complex process that requires significant investment and careful planning. However, the slow progress and high cost of this initiative raise questions about the efficiency of government spending and whether taxpayers' money is being used effectively. What are your thoughts on this matter? Is the slow rollout of EV charging stations a necessary growing pain in the transition to a greener future, or is it a sign of inefficient use of funds? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.