Concerns about running out of power and lacking charging options have long been a hurdle for electric vehicle (EV) adoption. However, the landscape has dramatically changed since 2007, when only 139 public charging stations existed. Significant investments over the years have transformed EV infrastructure, making it more feasible for consumers.
Today, the U.S. boasts over 64,000 public EV charging stations, marking a substantial increase from previous years. Notably, regions like the California Bay Area and Seattle metro have seen a surge in EV popularity, contributing to the high concentration of stations.
Insights from the Truck Parking Club utilize data from the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center and White House investments, highlighting the intensive expansion of charging infrastructure.
Recent government initiatives, under the Biden administration, have spurred growth in EV infrastructure through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Despite these advancements, President-elect Donald Trump has expressed intentions to retract clean-energy programs, including the $7,500 EV purchase tax credit, raising uncertainty about future infrastructure funding.
EV infrastructure grows exponentially
While home charging remains the norm for most EV owners, public charging infrastructure is crucial for emergency situations and influences public perception positively, as noted by Pew Research.
The year 2021 marked a peak in EV station additions, aligning with a $7.5 billion allocation from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. However, the first infrastructure project funded by this law only began in 2023, according to Politico.
Private companies, particularly Tesla, currently dominate the U.S. public EV infrastructure landscape. Many stations in the alternative fuels database lack owner information, but private ownership is prevalent, with Tesla superchargers comprising a significant portion of fast chargers.
Mapping public EV charging
Public EV charging stations are now present in a majority of U.S. counties. Some counties, especially in California and populous areas of Washington and Massachusetts, have over 1,000 public stations.
Pew Research indicates that 64% of Americans live within two miles of a public charging station, correlating with higher EV ownership and favorable attitudes toward phasing out gasoline vehicles. However, access disparities persist, with only 17% of rural residents living within a mile of a public charger.
Data from the Department of Energy highlights significant gaps in the central U.S. and Alaska, where EV popularity is low. Efforts to address these gaps include targeted tax credits aiming to boost growth in rural areas since 2022.
Continued investments
Ongoing federal funding from the IRA and BIL supports clean transportation initiatives nationwide. Alaska is poised to receive the most funding per capita, with $31.5 million dedicated to EV infrastructure.
States around Lake Michigan collaborate on infrastructure projects to enhance EV travel and tourism, while Maine focuses on electrifying school buses. Despite bipartisan support for these initiatives, President-elect Trump plans to revoke EV-related tax benefits, potentially affecting the industry’s competitive landscape.
While some Trump allies anticipate challenges in cutting clean energy policies affecting Republican-led states, the future of EV infrastructure funding under the new administration remains uncertain. Potential policy reversals could increase costs for EV owners and slow infrastructure development.
Ultimately, the trajectory of public EV charging infrastructure may face significant changes depending on future governmental support.
Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.
This story features data reporting and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
This story originally appeared on Truck Parking Club and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Original Story at www.wjtv.com