Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon expressed frustration over the slow rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations during a Senate Committee hearing.
The Daily Caller reported that despite a $7.5 billion allocation for the project, only eight charging stations have been completed nationwide since November 2021. Merkley questioned Federal Highway Administration Administrator Shailen Bhatt regarding the sluggish progress in establishing EV charging stations.
The initiative is funded by a $7.5 billion allocation from the bipartisan infrastructure law, which aims to support the construction of 500,000 charging ports across the country.
During the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works hearing on Wednesday, Merkley raised concerns about the effectiveness of the program. According to a White House fact sheet, the infrastructure bill's goal is to significantly increase the availability of EV charging ports to encourage electric vehicle adoption.
Bhatt responded to Merkley's inquiries, stating that funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill have been utilized by six states, resulting in "dozens of ports, so like, under 100." However, AutoWeek reported that only eight charging stations have been completed with the allocated funds.
Merkley referenced a recent interview with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on "Face the Nation," aired on May 26, where it was mentioned that only seven charging stations had been built. Merkley emphasized the inadequacy of the progress by stating, "I’ve heard only seven... That is pathetic."
The senator further elaborated on the issue, highlighting the importance of a robust EV charging infrastructure for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
He argued that without adequate charging capabilities, electric cars would not be a viable option for many Americans. "You can’t really depend on an electric car if there isn’t a charging capability," Merkley said.
Merkley did not hold back in his criticism, describing the situation as a "vast administrative failure." He expressed disappointment that, despite the infrastructure bill being passed years ago, no charging stations had been built in his state, and only a handful had been constructed nationwide.
The Biden administration's efforts to promote electric vehicle adoption also include the Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Biden in August 2022.
This act provides a $7,500 tax credit for EV purchases and supports strict regulations to further boost the adoption of electric vehicles.
The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to the White House for comment on the slow progress of the EV charging station rollout but did not receive a response. This lack of communication adds to the concerns raised by Merkley and other officials about the administration's commitment to its EV infrastructure goals.
The bipartisan infrastructure law's goal of 500,000 charging ports remains a significant challenge, especially given the current pace of progress. Merkley's questioning highlights the need for a more efficient and effective approach to deploying these essential charging stations.
In conclusion, the slow rollout of EV charging stations has drawn sharp criticism from Sen. Jeff Merkley, reflecting broader concerns about the Biden administration's handling of the infrastructure bill's objectives.
With only eight stations completed since November 2021, the goal of 500,000 ports seems distant, necessitating urgent administrative improvements to meet the nation's EV infrastructure needs.
In summary, despite the allocated funds and legislative support, the Biden administration faces significant hurdles in achieving its electric vehicle infrastructure goals, with only a few charging stations completed to date.
