The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced a plan to construct a network of electronic vehicle charging stations across all 50 states has received final approval.
According to a Sept. 27 AP News report, the plan calls for EV charging stations to be placed approximately every 50 miles along interstate highways across the nation. This action is intended to stimulate adoption of zero-emission cars.
“America led the original automotive revolution in the last century, and ... we’re poised to lead in the 21st century with electric vehicles,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, according to AP News. He added the plans will “help ensure that Americans in every part of the country — from the largest cities to the most rural communities — can be positioned to unlock the savings and benefits of electric vehicles.”
The Transportation Department announced, following the final approval for EV charger plans for the last 17 states, $1.5 billion in federal funds, or $5 billion spanning five years, had been released to jurisdictions nationwide. The funds will be used to construct or update chargers along 75,000 miles of interstate highways across the U.S., according to AP News.
AP News reports drivers in California, Colorado, Florida and Pennsylvania could start seeing these upgrades as early as the the end of 2023. These new charging stations will feature at least four fast-charger ports which will be able to charge most EVs in about an hour.
Construction of these new EV charging locations could begin as early as next spring, AP News reported.
