Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on July 19 underscored the ongoing coordination between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the truckstop industry to expand the nation's electric vehicle charging network and encourage drivers to purchase electric vehicles.
Responding to a question from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) during a hearing on the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Secretary Buttigieg said, "We've been discussing with ... the truck stops that are looking at what their power needs would need to be at an interchange."
Rep. Massie asked the Secretary if the power grid will be capable of handling electric vehicles by 2030, which is when President Biden has said that 50 percent of cars should be electric.
NATSO thinks that the utilities are best suited to perform the necessary generation development and power grid restructuring work through its regulated monopoly and that private fuel retailers are best suited to own and operate EV charging stations.
State transportation departments have until August 1 to submit their proposals to the U.S. Department of Transportation for how they will utilize their share of the $7.5 billion in federal funds for electric vehicle charging allocated under the IIJA.
NATSO thinks the private sector represents the most efficient means of building out a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations. State lawmakers and regulators should ensure that any EV charging proposals encourage private sector investments in EV charging stations.
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