Link to full article: https://www.wpr.org/millions-federal-investment-wisconsin-weighs-strategy-expand-electric-vehicle-infrastructure

With millions in federal investment, Wisconsin weighs strategy to expand electric vehicle infrastructure

Wisconsin is set to receive nearly $79M over the next 5 years to expand electric vehicle charging stations

By Danielle Kaeding of Wisconsin Public Radio

Published: Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Wisconsin is set to receive nearly $79 million over the next five years to expand electric vehicle charging stations through the federal bipartisan infrastructure law. Now, state policymakers are tasked with developing a plan by August to expand access as the auto industry and utilities rapidly move toward an electrified transportation system.

Policy issues facing electric vehicles and the state’s transportation system were the focus of a panel discussion held Tuesday by the Customers First Coalition that was broadcast on WisconsinEye. The panelists included representatives of utilities, automakers, road builders, energy advocates and Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson.

"We are looking at major increase in the amount of electric vehicles that will be on the road," Thompson said. "From my standpoint, it's incumbent upon the public sector to be ready for that, and to be able to support that on behalf of Wisconsin's economy and the nation's economy."

The Edison Electric Institute estimates there are more than 2 million electric vehicles on the nation’s highways. That makes up less than 1 percent of the roughly 276 million vehicles on the road, according to most recent federal data. Wisconsin had 7,521 registered electric vehicles last year, and that number has grown an average of 9 percent each year from 2016 to 2020.

Automakers like General Motors have vowed to phase out sales of vehicles running on gas and diesel by 2035. President Joe Biden has set an ambitious goal for half of all new vehicles sold to be electric, hybrid or fuel cell electric by 2030 as part of larger efforts to cut carbon emissions. Transportation accounts for the largest share of heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

Read the full story from Wisconsin Public Radio: https://www.wpr.org/millions-federal-investment-wisconsin-weighs-strategy-expand-electric-vehicle-infrastructure