NEW ORLEANS — U.S. Rep. Troy Carter has announced that Louisiana will receive $10,859,512 this year to install electric vehicle charging stations along key roads and highways. Carter said the funds from 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will create “good-paying jobs to improve charger access for Louisiana’s drivers, help protect the state’s environment and support American car manufacturers’ rapidly-growing EV production.”
“Thanks to the leadership of President Biden and Congressional Democrats, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for Louisianians,” said Carter in a press release. “For too long, unreliable and inconsistent charging facilities have plagued Louisiana’s roads and highways, hampering drivers and our economy. These overdue investments will strengthen our state’s critical infrastructure — paving the way for cleaner, easier driving and supporting good-paying union jobs. I was proud to vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I remain committed to working with our state and local leaders to ensure that these funds are swiftly deployed to where drivers need them most.”
Carter said the United States’ network of 100,000 chargers is currently insufficient to service the growing number of EV owners. Plug types, payment options and data availability are all inconsistent. Lawmakers hope the infrastructure law will help advance Biden’s goals of expanding the U.S. network to 500,000 chargers and growing electric vehicles sales to 50% of the automobile market by 2030.
The funds will be distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, which is delivering nearly $5 billion in formula funding over the next five years to expand charging access across the country. More details here.
