Heinrich Announces $38 Million For New Mexico To Build Out Electric Vehicle Charging Network Made Possible By Infrastructure Law
New Mexico expected to receive $38 million in formula funding over five years to support the expansion of EV charging, will also have opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging
WASHINGTON (Feb. 10, 2022) – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), co-founder of the Electrification Caucus and member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will join U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, and White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy as they formally announce historic levels of funding to establish the new nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The event will be held on the plaza at DOT Headquarters today in Washington, D.C.
The program will provide nearly $5 billion over five years to help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along the Interstate Highway System. The total amount available to states in Fiscal Year 2022 under the NEVI Formula Program is $615 million. States must submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan before they can access these funds. A second, competitive grant program designed to further increase EV charging access in locations throughout the country, including in rural and underserved communities, will be announced later this year.
New Mexico is expected to receive $38 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state. New Mexico will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the law.
“As a mechanical engineering student in college, I was part of a team that designed and raced a carbon fiber solar car called the Sun Tiger from Dallas all the way up to Minneapolis. It’s exciting to see how EV technology has taken off since then—and created new careers,” said Heinrich. “This historic investment to build out the first-ever nationwide charging network will accelerate the adoption of EVs to address the climate crisis, and help drivers save money.”
The Biden administration released a guide, titled Charging Forward: A Toolkit for Planning and Funding Rural Electric Mobility Infrastructure, that helps connect rural communities with partners needed for these projects. The toolkit contains best practices for planning EV charging networks and tips to navigate federal funding and financing to help make these projects a reality.
Heinrich added, “This new toolkit brings rural New Mexico communities to the table so that they too can reap the job and economic opportunities from the new EV charging network.”
Senator Heinrich is committed to helping New Mexico communities build out EV infrastructure, including at visitor centers on public lands and gateway communities. Senator Heinrich has routinely brought together local, state, Tribal, and federal officials together with non-profit organizations to spark discussions on policy recommendations, resources to implement real solutions to reduce carbon emissions, and receiving technical assistance. These recommendations have included fleet electrification, charging infrastructure, and rural electrification.
Senator Heinrich is also supportive of President Biden’s Executive Order that sets a new target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles.
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