The Dept. of Energy recently announced national EV charging infrastructure has doubled since 2021; MD Clean Energy Center Receives $33.4 million to expand EV charging across 29 sites.
The Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced $521 million in grants ($33.4 million of which is coming to Maryland) to continue building out electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure across 29 states, two Federally Recognized Tribes, and the District of Columbia, including the deployment of more than 9,200 EV charging ports.
This new EV infrastructure will increase access and reliability to communities across the country and provides EV charging to light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles along designated highways, interstates, and major roadways. The funds are a part of the federal government’s goals to support the growth of a convenient, affordable, reliable and Made-in-America national network of EV chargers so drivers can charge close to home, at work, and along significant corridors throughout the U.S.
Since the start of 2021, the number of publicly available EV chargers has doubled. Now, there are over 192,000 publicly available charging ports, with approximately 1,000 new public chargers being added each week. This progress is a testament to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the catalyzing effect it has had on private investments for EV charging infrastructure. Through programs like the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, the federal government is playing a critical role alongside private industry, to actively expand America’s EV charging network while creating good-paying, union jobs.
Charging infrastructure is being built in rural, suburban, urban, and Tribal communities alike, supplementing private investment and filling critical gaps where charging is needed most. Additionally, this buildout aligns with the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy investing in EV charging for trucks along one of the nation’s largest freight corridors in America. These investments promote EV adoption, emission reductions, economic development and healthy communities.
Investment in Maryland
The Maryland Clean Energy Center lead a coordinated effort across multiple stakeholders and jurisdictions to submit an application for the Maryland Equitable Charging Infrastructure Partnership (MECIP) – Corridor Component. Their application was awarded $33,461,414.00 and will install EV charging at 29 sites to build out charging along an existing Alternative Fuel Corridor, increasing EV charging access in rural, urban, and disadvantaged communities. The project includes workforce development and job creation with an EV charging franchise model and EV crowdfunding pilot, and coordinates with IBEW Local 24 to develop apprentices and journeymen to installation and maintain the EV charging sites.
