President Biden announces $900 million to aid in construction of electric vehicle charging stations

President Joe Biden made an appearance at a car show in Detroit on Wednesday where he announced that his administration will pledge nearly $1 billion to help 35 states start building a nationwide electric vehicle charging station network.

The funds were previously appropriated in 2021’s trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure law, which, in total ringfenced $5 billion to assist states in building electric vehicle charging stations.

“The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class,” Biden said as he opened his speech. “Nowhere is that more evident than right here in Michigan. We’re building the future of the electric vehicle.”

“I’m pleased to announce we’re approving funding for the first 35 states, including Michigan, to build their own electric charging infrastructure throughout their state,” he went on to say. “You all are going to be part of a network of 500,000 charging stations throughout the country.”

United Auto Workers member introduced Biden by saying he was “kickin’ a** for the middle class,” before praising him for his support of unions.

“We’re lucky to have the most skilled auto workers in the world, and that’s not hyperbole. The single most skilled auto workers in America are right here today,” he added.

“When you see these big projects in your hometowns — cranes going up, shovels in the ground, workers with hard hats on — I want you to feel the way I feel, and I really mean it: pride. Pride in what we can do when we do it together,” Biden said at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“It used to be that to buy an electric car, you had to make all sorts of compromises. But not now. Thanks to American ingenuity, American engineers, American autoworkers – it’s all changing,” Biden said.

“I’m pleased to announce that we’re approving funding for the first 35 states, including Michigan, to build their own charging infrastructure throughout their state. The great American road trip is going to be fully electrified. Whether you’re driving coast to coast along I-10, or on I-75 here in Michigan, charging stations will be up and as easy to find as gas stations are now,” he added.

Biden has set a 2030 target for 50% of all new vehicles sold to be electric or plug-in hybrid electric models. Biden also wants 500,000 charging stations for electric vehicles.