A group of 10 U.S. House Democrats on Friday asked President Joe Biden's administration to build electric vehicle charging stations together with broadband internet infrastructure under the $1 trillion infrastructure law approved in November 2021.
Congress set aside $42.45 billion in grants to expand broadband, including building fiber or other networks, as part of the measure. It included $5 billion for EV charging.
Representatives Doris Matsui and Anna Eshoo urged officials to coordinate broadband andEV charging infrastructure efforts to encourage co-location of EV and broadband in underserved areas.
The approach can address multiple national priorities at the same time, and avoid duplicative efforts, the lawmakers wrote.
The Biden administration has a goal of getting 500,000 chargers in place by 2030 to ensure EVs are accessible.
The Transportation Department requires EV charging stations to have at least four ports capable of simultaneously fast charging four EVs and include data standards that will ensure third-party apps can provide real-time charging status information.
The EV charging network's connectivity requirements made it easier for the lawmakers to locate both EV charging and broadband.
Many rural and poorer areas don't have EV charging as well as high-speed broadband access. The approach can address multiple national priorities at the same time, and avoid duplicative efforts, the lawmakers wrote.
Last year, Congress approved $14.2 billion for subsidies for low-income families to use internet service plans. More than 13 million households are taking part.
The Transportation Department announced earlier this week that all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have submitted EV infrastructure deployment plans.