Only 7 EV Chargers Built as Biden’s Rollout Experiences Slow Progress
President Joe Biden’s ambitious plan to build 500,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers by 2030 has faced significant challenges and is moving forward at a sluggish pace. According to officials, only seven charging stations have been built so far, highlighting the slow progress of Biden’s rollout efforts. This development comes as a blow to the administration’s push to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and expand EV charging infrastructure across the country.
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which is part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, aims to use $5 billion to fund the construction of EV charging stations. In December 2023, The Epoch Times reported that only one charging station had been built under this program. However, since then, four more states have unveiled chargers, bringing the total number of charging stations to seven. These include stations in Ohio, Hawaii, New York, Pennsylvania, and the latest addition, Maine.
Each NEVI-funded station is required to have at least four charging ports, contributing to the over 175,000 public chargers already available in the United States. However, this number falls far short of President Biden’s goal of reaching 500,000 charging stations by 2030. The slow pace of construction has raised concerns about the administration’s ability to meet its targets.
While officials insist that the program is on track, they attribute the slow progress to the careful planning and desire to avoid mistakes. Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt emphasized the importance of setting up the program correctly and stated that the first two years were dedicated to getting the rules and plans in place. Bhatt assures that this year will focus on bringing more chargers online.
The availability of charging stations plays a crucial role in persuading Americans to switch to electric vehicles. President Biden aims for 50 percent of all new vehicle sales in the United States to be electric by 2030. However, concerns about range anxiety and the lack of charging infrastructure remain significant obstacles to widespread EV adoption.
A recent study conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA) revealed that an EV’s range can decrease by up to 25 percent when carrying heavy loads. Range anxiety, the fear of running out of charge and being stranded, remains a top concern for potential EV buyers. Another study by Ernst & Young in collaboration with European energy industry body Eurelectric identified the lack of public charging stations as the primary concern for individuals considering the switch to EVs.
The Ernst & Young study estimates that the United States and Canada will need approximately 68.9 million chargers by 2035 to support the fast-paced EV transformation. This staggering number highlights the urgent need for a significant increase in charging infrastructure across North America.
As the Biden administration grapples with the slow progress of EV charger construction, it must address these concerns and take swift action to accelerate the deployment of charging stations. Meeting President Biden’s ambitious targets and ensuring a robust charging network are crucial steps towards achieving net-zero emissions and promoting widespread EV adoption. With the right investments and strategic planning, the United States can pave the way for a sustainable transportation future.
