The US Department of Transportation has issued 2 notices on the Federal Register to gather public input on subjects related to the EV infrastructure programs that were created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
(1) The first notice was issued last Wednesday and is related to Buy America compliance for EVSE. For many Clean Cities stakeholders, the ability to meet Buy America compliance requirements for electric vehicle chargers has been an on-going barrier when attempting to use federal funds for projects. The US DOT and US DOE issued a Request for Information asking for input on this subject. Here is an opportunity to provide input on this subject, either from you and/or your interest stakeholders. The details are included here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/11/24/2021-25717/buy-america-request-for-information & https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-11-24/pdf/2021-25717.pdf
Buy America Request for Information Federal Register Summary: Reshaping the United States transportation system with electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is an important part of the solution to the climate crisis. EV charger manufacturing, assembly, installation, and maintenance all have the potential to not only support policies on sustainability and climate, but also to create good-paying, union jobs in the United States. This RFI is intended to gather information on shifting manufacturing and assembly processes to the United States considering the bold investment planned in EV charging. DOT and DOE (the Agencies) are interested in hearing from the public, including stakeholders (such as State and local agencies, the EV charger manufacturing industry, component suppliers, labor unions, related associations, and transportation advocates), on the availability of EV chargers manufactured and assembled in the United States, including whether they comply with applicable Buy America requirements.
This RFI is intended to: (i) Help the Agencies better understand whether and to what extent domestic sourcing is available now or may be possible in the future for EV charging equipment and components; (ii)ensure domestic manufacturers have the opportunity to identify any EV charger meeting applicable Buy America requirement; (iii) ensure domestic manufacturers have the opportunity to identify any EV charger that could meet a domestic final assembly condition, and identify the portion of components that meet a domestic final assembly condition; and (iv) highlight benefits of shifting manufacturing and assembly processes to the United States considering the bold investment planned in this area. Comments must be received on or before January 10, 2022.
(2) The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law establishes a National Electric Vehicle Formula Program and directs DOT, in consultation with DOE, to development guidance associated with this program within 90 days of enactment and this RFI seeks public comment on the topics included in the law, as well as providing comments related to the implementation of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program, which will establish discretionary grants for corridor and community charging. This RFI also presents an opportunity to provide input on these program areas, either from you and/or your interest stakeholders. The details are included here:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/11/29/2021-25868/development-of-guidance-for-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure-deployment & https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-11-29/pdf/2021-25868.pdf
Development of Guidance for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Deployment Federal Register Summary: The recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests in the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure as one of many important ways to confront the climate crisis. Through a National Electric Vehicle Formula Program (EV Charging Program), the law provides funding to States to strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure and to establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability. The law also establishes a discretionary grant program for Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program) to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors or in certain other locations that are accessible to all drivers of such vehicles. The law directs DOT, in coordination or consultation with the Department of Energy (DOE), to develop guidance for both programs. Through this notice, FHWA invites public comments to inform the development of the guidance. FHWA is especially interested in comments suggesting ways that the guidance could promote equity in the deployment of EV charging infrastructure under these programs.
Comments would be most useful if they are received on or before January 28, 2022 to allow for their consideration during development of the EV Charging Program guidance. FHWA will consider comments received after the due date to the extent practicable.
