Rep. Trone Introduces Legislation to Install Federally-Funded Electric Vehicle Chargers in Small Towns to Bolster Renewable Infrastructure and Spur Economic Growth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2024
Rep. Trone Introduces Legislation to Install Federally-Funded Electric Vehicle Chargers in Small Towns to Bolster Renewable Infrastructure and Spur Economic Growth
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman David Trone (D-MD), member of the Safe Climate Caucus, introduced the Revitalizing Economic Competitiveness of Highway Adjacent Areas with Reliable Green Energy for Electric Vehicles (RECHARGE-EV) Act to revise federal EV charger funding guidelines for small towns.
Under the current National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, funded by the Biden-Harris administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EV chargers must be placed less than one mile from a freeway exit or highway, meaning small towns are largely left without federal assistance. As a result, two-thirds of EV chargers funded by NEVI have been placed at gas stations, convenience stores, and large retail stores near highways and far from America’s Main Streets. The RECHARGE-EV Act would create flexibility in the one-mile requirement, allowing small towns and small businesses to reap the economic advantages of increased vehicle traffic.
The one-mile requirement excludes small towns from growth opportunities, not just in the transportation and energy sectors, but also in the economy. A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that installing a charging station near businesses resulted in a 14-21% increase in customers, adding $23,000 in total consumer spending in 2019 and $3,400 annually from 2021 to June 2023. By adjusting NEVI guidelines, states will have the ability to fund the placements of EV chargers in small towns, promoting energy-efficient transportation while drawing economic benefits for small businesses.
“Four of the five Maryland counties I represent in Congress are state-designated rural areas,” said Congressman Trone. “We know EV chargers improve both the environment and the economy because we’ve seen positive outcomes in cities and suburbs across the country. With this legislation, we aren’t leaving our small towns behind.”
The RECHARGE-EV Act would:
- Direct the Secretary of Transportation to update the guidance for the NEVI program to increase the flexibility within the one-mile requirement; and,
- Provide States the flexibility to propose a small town near the highway system as a recipient of NEVI Formula funding.
For bill text, click here.
For one-pager, click here.
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Budget, and Joint Economic Committees in the 118th Congress. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders.
Follow Congressman Trone at @RepDavidTrone for updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
###
