Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration stopped new funding for electric vehicle charging stations under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.
Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program allocated $5 billion over five years to all U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Michigan was set to receive $110 million for fast-charging stations along key routes.
Chase Attanasio, policy manager for the advocacy group Clean Fuels Michigan, said despite the cuts, EV charging ports expansion plans in the state are affected but not aborted.
“The utility companies in Michigan have been and will continue to invest heavily in EV infrastructure deployments in their service territories that support a variety of different use cases,” Attanasio pointed out. “And there are state programs that will continue to support EV charger deployments across the state.”
The federal government will allow existing contracts to proceed with reimbursements until new guidance is issued.
There are currently 3,700 public charging stations around the Great Lakes State and the goal is to deploy 100 thousand by 2030. Attanasio believes Michigan has an opportunity to step up and take the lead in the clean mobility sector, despite uncertainties.
“Increasing investments in the clean mobility sectors will show Michigan’s commitment to this industry,” Attanasio contended. “And its commitment to transitioning and supporting the automotive industry in its transition towards electric vehicles.”
The Federal government’s initial goal was to increase the total number of public EV charging ports to 500,000 by 2030. Since Congress approved the funding, the current administration may face challenges in stopping the program on its own.
