Gallego Announces $11+ Million in Electric Vehicle Funds
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Gallego (AZ-07) announced Arizona will receive $11,320,762 this year under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along key roads and highways.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Biden and Congress, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for Arizonans,” said Rep. Gallego, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee. “The future of transportation means a well-connected electric vehicle charging grid, and Arizona has been one of the top states for EV adoption. These investments will strengthen our state’s critical infrastructure — paving the way for cleaner, easier driving and supporting good-paying union jobs. This is a major win for our economy and the environment. I was proud to vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I remain committed to working with our state and local leaders to ensure that these funds are swiftly deployed in the areas Arizona drivers need them most. I also look forward to continuing to work on legislation to ensure all Arizonans can afford an electric vehicle and take advantage of this infrastructure.”
Ushered through Congress by Democratic House and Senate majorities and signed into law by President Biden, the EV investments will create good-paying jobs to improve charger access for Arizona drivers, help protect the state’s environment and support American car manufacturers’ rapidly growing EV production.
The United States’ network of 100,000 chargers is currently insufficient to service the growing number of EV owners — and struggles with inconsistent plug types, geographic distribution, payment options and data availability. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing in good-paying union jobs to address these shortcomings, advancing President Biden’s goal to expand the U.S. network to 500,000 chargers and grow electric vehicles sales to 50 percent of the automobile market by 2030.
Distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, the funds announced today will create jobs for Arizonans to build a convenient and equitable network of chargers across the state, making electric vehicles more accessible for both local and long-distance trips. In total, the FHWA is delivering nearly $5 billion in formula funding over the next five years to expand charging access across the country.
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Rep. Ruben Gallego is a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.