According to the Washington Post, EV charging stations cost US taxpayers $1 billion. However, after two years, only seven chargers and a meager 38 parking spaces have been built out of the allocated $7.5 billion.
This is what people mean when they complain about paying taxes and the government being the worst conceivable capital allocator: After two years and $7.5 billion in funding, just seven charging stations in four states have been created for electric vehicles.
According to the Washington Post, Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November 2021, allocating $7.5 billion for EV charging. Five billion of these dollars were distributed to the states as “formula funding” for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure project, which aims to build a rapid charger network beside major highways.
There are currently seven chargers and a meager 38 parking spaces. Come on, you know the outcomes have been terrible when the Post calls it out.
The Post further stated that the gradual development of charging infrastructure could impede the shift to electric vehicles, as the Biden administration’s new emissions regulations mandate a greater number of electric and hybrid vehicles. While seventeen states have not yet released bids, twelve more states have given contracts for the building of charging stations.
“I think a lot of people who are watching this are getting concerned about the timeline,” stated Alexander Laska, deputy director for transportation and innovation at the center-left think tank Third Way, in an interview with The Post.
Higher criteria than with earlier fast chargers contribute to the delayed introduction of new EV chargers. Although there are about 10,000 fast charging locations in the US, with more than 2,000 dependable Tesla Superchargers among them, non-Tesla chargers frequently operate poorly.
According to new Biden administration regulations, chargers must provide 150kW of electricity, be 97% operational, and be located one mile away from a highway. Although these standards are essential, their complex regulations, difficult approval processes, and energy requirements impede progress. In order to lessen “range anxiety,” the NEVI program seeks to increase rapid charging capacity by 50%; however, states must first construct the chargers.
In a letter to the Biden administration last month, Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), and Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) stated, “We have significant concerns that under your efforts American taxpayer dollars are being woefully mismanaged.”
“State transportation agencies are the recipients of the money. Nearly all of them had no experience deploying electric vehicle charging stations before this law was enacted,” Nick Nigro, founder of Atlas Public Policy added.
In response, the Federal Highway Administration said, “We want to get it right because we are creating a nationwide network of EV charging stations from scratch. We are making progress as states swiftly bring NEVI stations online, having developed program guidelines and collaborated with them to direct implementation strategies.
“More Americans are buying EVs every day — with EV sales rising faster than traditional gas-powered cars — as the President’s Investing in America agenda makes EVs more affordable, helps Americans save money when driving, and makes EV charging accessible and convenient,” a White House spokesperson continued.
Additionally, as reported by GreatGameIndia, Pew Research reveals the top tax system frustrations among Americans, with most citing that the wealthy and corporations don’t pay their “fair share.” This adds to the discontentment among taxpayers who witness mismanagement of taxpayer dollars, such as in the case of the underwhelming progress in EV charging infrastructure.
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