Buttigieg Answers Questions About Charging Stations
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently defended the Biden administration’s ambitious plan to build 500,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along U.S. highways by 2030. This defense came after questions were raised about the slow progress, with only eight chargers built since President Biden signed the legislation two years ago.
Buttigieg made his remarks on CBS' "Face the Nation," where he aimed to address concerns about the feasibility of reaching the administration's goal. Host Margaret Brennan questioned the slow pace, noting the discrepancy between the goal and the current progress. Buttigieg responded, "Now, in order to do a charger, it's more than just plugging a small device into the ground. There's utility work, and this is also really a new category of federal investment. But we've been working with each of the 50 states."
When Brennan pressed further, expressing surprise at the low number of chargers built so far, Buttigieg reiterated the administration’s commitment to the 2030 target. "Again, by 2030, 500,000 chargers," he stated. "And the very first handful of chargers are now already being physically built."
Pete Buttigieg can't explain why only 8 EV charging stations have been built with $7.5 BILLION in taxpayer funding.
Margaret Brennan doesn't believe a word.pic.twitter.com/yzKs8qFyb3
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) May 28, 2024
The initiative is a key part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a massive infrastructure package signed by President Biden in 2021, which allocates $7.5 billion for EV charging programs. Additionally, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act expands tax credits for both EVs and charger installations. Despite these significant financial commitments, the progress reported by Autoweek highlights that only eight chargers have been built to date.
Buttigieg emphasized that the "EV revolution will happen with or without us" and stressed that Biden's focus is on ensuring that this transition is led by America rather than by competitors like China. He acknowledged that the charging infrastructure is just one element needed to facilitate the shift from gas-powered vehicles to electric ones. Another critical aspect is reducing the cost of EVs to make them more accessible to consumers.
The slow progress in building the EV charging infrastructure underscores the complexities and challenges of such an ambitious federal project. Building a nationwide network of chargers involves significant utility work and coordination with state governments, which can be time-consuming. Despite the slow start, the administration remains confident in reaching its goal by the end of the decade.
Buttigieg’s appearance and comments aimed to reassure the public and stakeholders that the administration is committed to making significant strides in EV infrastructure, which is crucial for the broader adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S. The ongoing efforts to build these charging stations are seen as vital to reducing carbon emissions and advancing the country’s clean energy goals.