Biden Invested $7.5B in EV Charging and He’s Only Produced 7 Stations in 2 Years

Over the past four years, one of President Biden’s main focuses has been to cut back the nation’s annual carbon emissions by transitioning from gas-powered vehicles to electric ones (EVs). However, while the President has invested $7.5 billion in EVs, only 7 stations have been built. 

That adds up to “about 81% of total U.S. transportation sector CO2 emissions and to about 30% of total U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions.” In other words, American drivers release an almost unbelievable amount of CO2 into the atmosphere, and if they switch to electric vehicles, they would automatically cut down their emissions by 30%. 

In order to do so, Biden passed two pieces of legislation: the Inflation Reduction Act, which stated that two-thirds of all new vehicles made in the USA had to be electric by 20230, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated billions of dollars to fund the infrastructure needed for such a big change. 

However, others worried that the timeline he was pushing for was simply impossible. In fact, the country’s automakers responded so poorly to the President’s mandate that two-thirds of all new vehicles manufactured by 2030 had to be EVs, so he has since extended the deadline to 2032. 

With this bill, the President announced that the government would spend $400 billion over the next decade on building electric vehicle charging stations, improving the country’s transportation system, ensuring all residents have clean drinking water, and much more. Of course, the most common complaint regarding the bill was that Biden was outrageously overspending money that the country simply didn’t have. 

At this moment in time, there are only 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations in the United States. And while that may seem like a lot, it’s nowhere near how many America needs to support its millions of citizens driving electric vehicles.

Now, it’s been two years since nearly $7.5 billion was released to start building EV locations, and only seven have been completed. That’s why Biden’s plan is under even more scrutiny than it was when he originally passed the bill. 

The problem isn’t that the money isn’t being used; it’s that it’s not being used soon enough. With 2032 closer than we think, if these states don’t get to work building EV charging stations as soon as possible, the President’s entire plan could fall apart. 

In February 2024, several Republican members of the House of Representatives collectively sent Biden a letter that read, “We have significant concerns that under your efforts, American taxpayer dollars are being woefully mismanaged. The problems with these programs continue to grow — delays in the delivery of chargers, concerns from States about labor contracting requirements and minimum operating standards for chargers.”

Nigro also noted that he “expect[s] it to go much faster in 2024” once the ball starts rolling and states figure out exactly how to build these stations. 

The White House also explained it’s taking a little longer than planned because they are building the stations to the highest possible standards. They want to ensure that Americans feel safe driving their EV cars in the coming years, knowing there will always be an EV station a stone’s throw away that works perfectly.

For now, it seems too soon to say for sure, especially with the presidential election right around the corner. Whoever wins the Oval Office in November will likely make a big difference in whether or not America transitions to EVs during this decade.

These comparisons underline the need for the U.S. to accelerate its infrastructure development to match global leaders.

Per Heliox, innovations such as ultra-fast chargers can power vehicles in minutes instead of hours, while battery swap technology offers an alternative to waiting at charging stations, showing a potential path forward to alleviate public charging congestion and range anxiety.

According to the EPI, the shift to electric vehicles is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, from job creation in technology and manufacturing sectors to new markets for recycled battery materials.

The demand for lithium, necessary for batteries, leads to environmental degradation unless mining practices are improved (via State of the Planet). Promoting recycling and sustainable mining practices is crucial to mitigate these impacts.

Enhanced federal and state incentives, along with expanding reliable charging networks, could potentially bolster consumer confidence and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.

These partnerships pool resources and expertise, often leading to innovations and expedited deployment that individual entities might not achieve alone.

Initiatives that demonstrate the long-term cost savings and environmental benefits of electric vehicles can help shift public perception and drive greater acceptance and use of EV technology.

Tailored strategies that address these specific challenges will be essential for balanced infrastructure development.

The upcoming presidential election could either bolster or hinder the current administration’s efforts, depending on the victor’s policies towards renewable energy and transportation.

Streamlining regulation, improving contractor coordination, and setting realistic timelines could prevent future delays in infrastructure projects.

Continued investment in these technologies is crucial for overcoming current limitations and meeting future transportation needs.

With significant advancements and strategic planning, the goal of a widespread EV future remains within reach, albeit demanding accelerated actions to fulfill increasing consumer and environmental needs.