Hickenlooper Joins Buttigieg, Granholm to Announce $5 Billion for Electric Vehicle Charging Network, Millions for Colorado

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, and other officials at the Department of Transportation to announce $5 billion to establish a nationwide network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Colorado is expected to receive at least $57 million for EV charging from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, with $8 million coming in this initial allocation.

"Transitioning to electric vehicles is essential in our fight against climate change," said Hickenlooper, who was part of the bipartisan group of 22 senators who negotiated and wrote the bill. "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is transforming the way we drive while creating jobs and cleaning our air."

"A century ago, America ushered in the modern automotive era; now America must lead the electric vehicle revolution," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "The President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us win the EV race by working with states, labor, and the private sector to deploy a historic nationwide charging network that will make EV charging accessible for more Americans."

"We are modernizing America's national highway system for drivers in cities large and small, towns and rural communities, to take advantage of the benefits of driving electric," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping states to make electric vehicle charging more accessible by building the necessary infrastructure for drivers across America to save money and go the distance, from coast-to-coast."

The funding is part of the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program to help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Colorado is receiving $8,368,277 for Fiscal Year 2022. Over the next five years, Colorado stands to gain at least $57 million to expand electric vehicle charging. The state could also apply for an additional $2.5 billion in grant funding.

Building a national EV charging network will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs while making EVs more accessible to drivers. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is the largest climate change bill to date and the largest investment in EV infrastructure in American history.

In addition to the funding for a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill includes Hickenlooper's bill, the RECHARGE Act, which makes it more affordable to drive an electric vehicle by having states review utility rates for EV charging.

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