U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently defended the Biden administration's push to construct half a million electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along U.S. highways by 2030. This comes after questions were raised about the slow progress, with only eight stations having been built since President Biden signed the legislation two years ago.
During an appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation," Buttigieg explained that building EV chargers involves more than just plugging a device into the ground, citing the need for utility work and the fact that this is a new category of federal investment. He assured that progress is being made, with the first handful of chargers already in the process of being built.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed by Biden in 2021, allocates $7.5 billion for EV charging programs, while the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act expands tax credits for EVs and charger installations. Buttigieg emphasized that Biden is focused on ensuring that the EV revolution is American-led, rather than being dominated by competitors like China.
Despite the slow initial progress, Buttigieg remains confident that the EV revolution will happen, with or without the U.S. government's intervention. He also highlighted the importance of lowering the cost of EVs for consumers as another factor in transitioning from gas-powered vehicles to electric.
Overall, Buttigieg's defense of the Biden administration's EV push acknowledges the challenges and delays in building charging infrastructure but remains optimistic about achieving the goal of 500,000 charging stations by 2030. The focus on American leadership in the EV revolution and the importance of making EVs more accessible to consumers are key aspects of this initiative.