Nov 24 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) request information by January 10, 2022 on the potential benefits to the domestic electric vehicle (EV) industry of bringing more EV charging equipment manufacturing and assembly to the United States.
In January 2021, the President issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14005, titled “Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America by All of America's Workers.” 86 FR 7475 (Jan. 28, 2021). E.O. 14005 states that the United States Government “should, consistent with applicable law, use terms and conditions of Federal financial assistance awards and Federal procurements to maximize the use of goods, products, and materials produced in, and services offered in, the United States.” The Agencies are committed to ensuring strong and effective Buy America implementation consistent with E.O. 14005.
Obtaining information through this RFI is essential to determine how the Agencies might spur and incentivize domestic manufacturing of EV chargers, including EV chargers that meet applicable Buy America requirement for steel and iron. At the same time, the Agencies must also consider how to ensure that EV chargers are widely available in the immediate future for FHWA-funded projects in the United States in support of policies to address the climate crisis, as discussed below. . . .
In the context of EV charging infrastructure, the White House has also expressed the goal to accelerate deployment of electric vehicles and charging stations, which will create good-paying, union jobs and move us forward on the path toward a clean transportation future.
EVs, which produce zero tailpipe emissions and can be powered by clean, renewable energy instead of gasoline or diesel fuel, are an important part of the solution to the climate crisis. The President's goal of building a new national network of 500,000 EV chargers by 2030 is a key strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Through this RFI, the Agencies are soliciting information and suggestions from the public and a broad array of stakeholders across public and private sectors that may be familiar with or interested in manufacturing and assembly of EV chargers and their deployment as part of Federal-aid construction projects.
General Questions on EV Chargers (Q1-7)
Manufacturer Ability To Meet FHWA's Existing Buy America Requirement (Q8-10)
Manufacturer Ability To Meet Domestic Final Assembly Condition for EV Chargers (Q11-13)
EV Charger Components and Subcomponents (Q14-19)
Ability To Maximize Domestic Content, Services, and Labor (Q20-21)
FR RFI:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/11/24/2021-25717/buy-america-request-for-information