The plan for a nationwide network of electric vehicle chargers is beginning to take shape and federal funding to implement it is starting to roll out.

One aspect of President Biden’s climate policy involves deploying more than 500,000 new charging stations for EVs by 2030 to support another of his administration’s goals: having 50% of all new U.S. vehicle sales be electric.

Under this plan, federal funds would be available to assist states in adding to or upgrading the nationwide network of EV chargers. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program​, in conjunction with the Discretionary Grant Program for Charging and Fueling Infrastructures, will provide approximately $7.5 billion from July 2022 to June 2027 to states to fund installation of charging stations along designated alternative fuel corridors.

Stipulations include spacing chargers—including high-speed chargers—no more than 50 miles apart along, and within one mile of, the 75,000 miles of state-designated EV corridors. These corridors include I-95 from Maine to Florida, I-5 from Washington to California and I-90 from Boston to Seattle. Stations along these alternative fuel corridors must have enough ports to simultaneously charge four EVs.

Additional guidelines of this plan call for all models of EVs to be able to use the federally funded chargers, including—for the first time—Tesla’s SuperChargers. Universal payment and identification methods should ease the burden on consumers.     

The first $1.5 billion will be deployed this year. North Carolina expects $109 million, while Hawaii will get about $17 million. Pennsylvania is eligible for $25 million from this fund and Florida could receive $198 million, despite lagging behind only California for the number of EVs in the state. Florida expects 20% of vehicles to be electric by 2040, which will result in demand for more charging infrastructure. Ohio has plans to spend over $100 million on charging station infrastructure and has already received 167 site proposals.

But not every state is as eager. Wyoming considers itself too rural to have enough demand for the chargers. The state announced, in response to the program, “Wyoming has no desire to establish infrastructure that will likely fail.”

Federal guidelines also require approved facilities to provide features such as lighting, restrooms and signage. Because charging an EV typically takes 20-40 minutes longer than refueling a gasoline-powered car, drivers want amenities such as manicures, showers and dining, according to state surveys. Applicants who provide more services and conveniences will be given preference. These decisions could impact where the chargers are located and who builds them.