Looking to pave the way for electric vehicles, the U.S. departments of Energy and Transportation have created a joint office to help build charging infrastructure across the country.

Created under the recent bipartisan infrastructure bill, the office will oversee $7.5 billion that has been allocated to help states build EV charging stations, aiding with planning and implementation. The goal is to install chargers in 500,00 locations. The office also will support development of standards for the charging program.

“Our two agencies will work together to deliver on President Biden's historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, starting today with a joint project to build hundreds of thousands of electric vehicle charging stations, to tackle the climate crisis and create manufacturing and construction jobs at the same time,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm.

The office hopes to spur the transition of the country’s transportation systems to a greener, more sustainable framework, as currently they account for 29 percent of all carbon pollution, according to DOE.

“Transportation is responsible for the most greenhouse gas emissions of any sector in our economy - so it can and must be a big part of the solution to the climate crisis,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Granholm said the office will share guidance with states by February 15, after which states are expected to respond this summer with their plans for implementation. Funding will be distributed after states’ plans are approved, Granholm said.

Buttigieg said he expects chargers to start launching around the country “very quickly,” but with no set date for deployment.

Economy