Article Summary –
In 2021, the U.S. government passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocated $7.5 billion over five years for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, but Republican representatives have introduced a bill to repeal this funding, arguing it represents wasteful spending. Despite the criticism, the investment has already led to the development of significant EV infrastructure projects in Wisconsin, with additional plans for expansion, highlighting a growing demand and ongoing projects in the state. EV proponents argue that the government’s role in financing these projects is essential for the wider adoption of electric vehicles, comparing it to historical government support for fossil fuel industries and the gradual reduction of subsidies as new technologies become more affordable.
In 2021, bipartisan majorities in the U.S. Senate and House approved the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes a $7.5 billion plan for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Now, Republican U.S. Reps. Glenn Grothman, Tom Tiffany, and Tony Wied propose a bill to cancel the program.
The bill by Wied seeks to repeal the act’s sections on charging and fueling infrastructure grants and the EV infrastructure formula program, which funds state EV charger installations.
“I am proud to introduce the Unplug the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Programs Act,” Wied said in a press release. He criticized the $7.5 billion spending for resulting in only 59 stations nationwide. Wied argued he could have built 1,500 gas stations with that budget.
“The government doesn’t build gas stations, and it shouldn’t fund EV chargers either,” Tiffany stated in an email to the Wisconsin Independent. “Gas stations pay for their own pumps; EV chargers should too.”
Grothman’s office did not respond to requests for comments. Not all of the $7.5 billion has been distributed. While few projects have finished, many, including dozens in Wisconsin, are underway.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has allocated millions from the law for over 50 EV projects. Funds aided charging stations at Kwik Trip stores in Ashland, Menomonie, and Chippewa Falls, with plans for more.
Ingeteam EV plans to expand its Milwaukee EV charger facility, creating 100 jobs in five years.
About 25,000 electric vehicles were registered in Wisconsin as of December 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
EV owners argue the federal investment in EV infrastructure is essential. Jeremiah Brockman, a Prairie du Chien resident, has been involved with the Wisconsin chapter of the Electric Vehicle Association since 2017. He believes electric vehicles offer benefits like reduced maintenance and fuel savings.
However, in rural Wisconsin, fast chargers can be sparse, especially in winter. Cathy Van Maren, a La Crosse resident, noted the challenge of finding reliable charging stations. “More stations would help,” she said.
John Roach, a Madison EV owner, called the proposed repeal short-sighted and potentially harmful to tourism and local businesses like Kwik Trip.
Brockman countered Tiffany’s argument about gas stations being privately funded, noting the federal government’s subsidies to fossil fuel industries over the years.
Geoffrey Hoffman, another Madison EV owner, stated, “Transitioning energy sources requires government involvement to initiate projects.”
Despite the debate, a temporary freeze on new EV investment grants has been placed by the Trump administration.
A U.S. Department of Transportation spokesperson stated, “We are ensuring the Program aligns with U.S. DOT policies.”
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