A fast start for boosting the nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations is on the way.

The Biden Administration announced its plan to distribute the first $5 billion from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s charging station construction funds. States can apply for funding to build strings of stations along major highways. These applications are due no later than this August, and grant approvals must be made by the end of September. The remainder of the bill’s $7.25 billion for electric charging stations will be made available for rural areas, underserved communities, and other targets in future steps over five years. The intent is to jump-start investment from multiple sources for this network.

This money “will help us win the E.V. race by working with states, labor and the private sector to deploy a historic nationwide charging network that will make E.V. charging accessible for more Americans,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. 

North Carolina is already lining up its bid for $109 million of this funding. That money will help to substantially boost its current 1,542 miles of ready or pending electric vehicle charging station corridors.

Gov. Roy Cooper is emphasizing the transition to zero emission vehicles in his clean transportation plan announced in January. “We’re moving North Carolina toward a clean energy future, and that includes transportation,” he said, adding that his executive order “will accelerate the transition to more zero emission vehicles and our state and local governments, businesses, drivers and riders all across the state will help lead the way.”

This effort cannot come too soon. New studies show that transportation has already overtaken electricity generation as the largest single source of North Carolina’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Now Congress must pass the Build Back Better Act and its tax rebates for electric vehicle purchases. Tell your senators to get a move on!