MADISON, Wis. – President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is going to supercharge Wisconsin’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure and electrify every neighborhood across the state. The Biden-Harris administration is keeping Americans informed on what that means for their communities – with a focus on helping rural communities take full advantage of the federal funds.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a toolkit that outlines how rural communities can use funds from the infrastructure law to build out EV infrastructure. The guide is intended to connect and empower a variety of rural stakeholders, including states, local communities, Tribal nations, transportation providers, non-profits, businesses, and labor leaders, giving rural leaders the tools and information they need to start planning and implementing EV infrastructure projects. The toolkit outlines how to build the groundwork for light-duty electric passenger vehicles – like sedans, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks – and addresses funding opportunities and planning considerations for public transit, school busses, and agricultural equipment like tractors.
“Drivers in rural areas often have the longest commutes and spend the most money on gas, which means big benefits from having access to electric cars and pickup trucks if they are affordable and easy to charge where they live and drive,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “The investments in the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for a national EV charging network are an important step toward ensuring that EVs aren’t a luxury item and that everyone in America can benefit from clean transportation.”
The infrastructure law will bring $79 million in federal funds to Wisconsin – funding an EV charging network for the state. By building a convenient and equitable charging network across Wisconsin, EVs will become accessible to Wisconsinites in every zip code. This investment builds on Gov. Evers’ commitment to ensuring Wisconsin is carbon neutral by 2050.
Read more about President Biden’s infrastructure plan, which will increase the availability of public charging and give Wisconsinites the ability to reliably recharge across rural Wisconsin here.
