Boosting EV infrastructure: $521M in grants to expand charging access across U.S. corridors and communities

The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program recently announced additional funding awards for Round 1 applicants, totaling $521.19 million in grants to 51 applicants as part of a broader effort to expand electric vehicle  charging. These funds were allocated to urban and rural areas in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and eight Tribal communities. The funds will help deploy infrastructure in communities and across designated Alternative Fuel Corridors , which were announced as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy to increase charging access for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

Of the selected projects, 10 focus on advancing EV transportation corridors. Notably, the California Department of Transportation’s West Coast Truck Charging and Fueling Corridor Project is designed to serve medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks along 2,500 miles of West Coast freight corridors in California, Oregon and Washington. The project will enable reduced-emissions movement of goods connecting major ports, freight centers and agricultural regions between the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada.

Additional projects include the City of Atlanta, City of Philadelphia and Jefferson Parish which focus on urban areas and major transportation hubs to enhance EV charging access for local and regional drivers. These projects emphasize workforce development and community engagement, particularly in underserved areas.

This announcement comes at a critical time for EV infrastructure, as there are over 206,000 medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks expected to be deployed across the U.S. in the coming years, according to EDF’s Electric Fleet Deployment & Commitment List. Over 21,000 electric trucks are expected to be deployed in 22 states and the District of Columbia receiving CFI grants and will benefit from increased access to corridor and community charging. Nationally, over 185,000 upcoming trucks will benefit from improved corridor infrastructure, which is essential for continuing the EV transition.

Seven states receiving grants do not yet have medium- or heavy-duty electric trucks announced, these awards will  expand EV adoption in previously underinvested areas, connecting electric corridors across the nation. The states, including Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Wyoming will benefit from increased air quality and health benefits, especially in traditionally underserved communities.

The National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy outlines a concrete pathway to a zero-emission transportation landscape across the U.S. To sustain the momentum of the EV transition and make this plan a reality, investments like CFI made available through the Inflation Reduction Act promise to enhance charging infrastructure across the U.S. Applications

To find more information on planning, funding, and deployment during your electric transition, please visit EDF’s Fleet Electrification Solution Center.