Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg found himself in a difficult position on Sunday’s edition of CBS’ Face the Nation, struggling to justify the Biden administration’s sluggish progress in establishing a nationwide network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Despite the lofty goals set forth in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which allocated a staggering $7.5 billion for the construction of EV charging infrastructure, the administration has managed to build a mere seven or eight stations as of April 2024.
This paltry output stands in stark contrast to the grand promises made by the White House, which aimed to have half a million charging stations operational by the end of the decade. Buttigieg attempted to downplay the dismal numbers, characterizing the first few stations as the “absolute very, very beginning stages” of a larger construction effort. However, his assurances did little to allay concerns raised by CBS’ Margaret Brennan, who pointed out that the lack of charging infrastructure severely hampers the ability for long-distance EV travel.
The Secretary deflected criticism by suggesting that most EV charging would occur at home, and that the federal investment was primarily intended to fill gaps in areas where private sector involvement was lacking. This explanation glossed over the fact that the administration has done little to cut through the local zoning restrictions and bureaucratic red tape that have impeded progress, in stark contrast to the deregulatory efforts of the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, the fossil fuel industry has been quick to capitalize on the situation, actively lobbying to have the federally-funded charging stations installed at existing gas stations. This development raises questions about the administration’s commitment to fostering a truly independent and sustainable EV ecosystem, free from the influence of entrenched industry interests.
As the nation’s transportation infrastructure undergoes a pivotal transition, the Biden administration’s struggles to deliver on its ambitious EV agenda have cast doubt on its ability to navigate the complex challenges that lie ahead.