The Biden administration unveiled a series of initiatives this week aimed at facilitating the transition to electrified transport, including the announcement on Thursday of the allocation of $5 billion over five years for the development of an EV charging network across the interstate highway system.

The new funding is being made available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The advancement of clean mobility has been a key focus area for the Biden administration, with an executive order signed last year mandating that zero emissions vehicles make up half of new vehicle sales in the U.S. by 2030. The infrastructure law allocates $7.5 billion for the development of a network of electric vehicle chargers, targeting 500,000 EV chargers nationwide by 2030.

The charging network program aims to build on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Alternative Fuel Corridor initiative, initially launched in 2015, which required states to designate highway sections with infrastructure supporting electric, hydrogen, propane and natural gas vehicles. Under the new infrastructure law, states are required to update and redesignate the corridors. To access the new funds, states will be required to submit EV infrastructure deployment plans, with a new Department of Energy (DOE) and DOT joint office providing direct technical assistance and support to help states develop their plans. Part of the planning is aimed at advancing equitable access to electrified transport, following the Biden administration’s Justice40 initiative, which targets directing 40% of clean energy investment benefits to disadvantaged communities, and those experiencing the worst impacts of climate change.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said:

“A century ago, America ushered in the modern automotive era; now America must lead the electric vehicle revolution. The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us win the EV race by working with states, labor, and the private sector to deploy a historic nationwide charging network that will make EV charging accessible for more Americans.”

The DOE also announced on Friday plans to invest nearly $3 billion to strengthen the supply chain for advanced batteries to meet the growing needs for electric vehicles and energy storage. The DOE program aims to fund battery materials refining and production plants, battery cell and pack manufacturing facilities, and recycling facilities.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said:

“As electric cars and trucks continue to grow in popularity within the United States and around the world, we must seize the chance to make advanced batteries — the heart of this growing industry — right here at home. With funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re making it possible to establish a thriving battery supply chain in the United States.”