The passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in November 2021 marked a historical moment for America. The EV investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law specifically has jumpstarted series of Federal and State EV initiatives to date. This blog is trying to provide an overview of what to expect and how to be prepared in the face of the upcoming opportunities.
“The future of transportation in our nation and around the world is electric,” stated Vice President Kamala Harris on Dec 13, 2021 after touring an electric vehicle facility. In her remarks, she highlighted how the electric car future is cleaner, more equitable, more affordable, and an economic opportunity to support good-paying, union jobs across American supply chains.
The recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests in the deployment of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure as one of many necessary ways to confront the climate crisis. The law provides funding through multiple formula-based and competitive grant opportunities. Investments are broken down and shown by type and agency; they include community- and corridor electric charging infrastructure development; transit, freight, and school bus electrification; as well as battery related investments. This chart has more information.
For example, states and local units of government are eligible to receive funding as part of the Infrastructure Law’s $2.5 billion for communities and corridors through a competitive grant program. This program will support innovative approaches and ensure that charger deployment meets Administration priorities such as supporting rural charging, improving local air quality, and increasing EV charging access in disadvantaged communities.
This program is divided into two categories. One includes $1.25 billion dedicated to build out charging and fueling infrastructure along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, and the second category includes a $1.25 billion in Community Charging grants, convenient charging where people live, work, and shop. In its 2021 annual report, the Council on Future Mobility and Electrification (CFME) recommends Michigan policy makers determine how to qualify for these funds.
To provide a high level background on Alternative Fuel Corridors, in 2021, SEMCOG worked with MDOT and Michigan Clean Cities to nominate Alternative Fuel Electric Corridors in Southeast Michigan for Round 5 of designations. The FHWA designates national Alternative Fuel Corridors for electric vehicle charging as well as other alternative fueling infrastructure based on nominations from state and local officials. The purpose of the program is to add visibility to sections of the National Highway System that can sustain long-distance travel for alternative fuel vehicles. Once FHWA designates these corridors, States may install Alternative Fuel Corridor signs along the designated highway corridor. View the status of current Alternative EV Corridors in Southeast Michigan, under EV Planning Story Map page on the Southeast Michigan EV Resource Kit and Planning Hub. SEMCOG will closely monitor the timeframe for Round 6 nominations which is yet to be determined by FHWA. December 13, 2021, the Biden-Harris administration announced that they are releasing an EV Charging Action Plan and outlined steps federal agencies are taking to support developing and deploying EV chargers in American communities across the country.
The timeline below shows the action Plan at a glance.
As shown above, there continues to be significant momentum on Electrification and EV infrastructure at the federal and state levels. Over the next few years, highlighted activities will have a major impact on local communities’ capacity in moving toward EV readiness. In preparation for the upcoming opportunities, and regardless of where your community stands in the process of EV readiness, SEMCOG encourages you to review the Southeast Michigan Electric Vehicle Resource Kit and Planning Hub, an up-to-date resource for communities and stakeholders to access the EV and EV infrastructure key data and information, the current status of infrastructure and deployment, community zoning and planning ordinances, funding opportunities, and local case studies and best practices.
SEMCOG continues to take the necessary steps to monitor and engage with federal and state efforts toward Electrification and EV Infrastructure Development. Furthermore, understanding that public, private, and non-profit sector engagement is a necessary component of this process, SEMCOG encourages your community to continue to provide feedback through the Southeast Michigan EV Resource Kit and Planning Hub Feedback page. As things quickly evolve in this space, SEMCOG looks forward to partnerships, coordination, and collaboration with all stakeholders at local, state, public, and private entities and to making progress toward Regional EV Readiness by leveraging the opportunities 2022 has to offer with more resources available than ever before.
If you have any questions about the SEMCOG EV Hub, please let me know.
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