The Biden-Harris Administration has introduced a funding opportunity called “Ride and Drive Electric” worth $51 million. This initiative, facilitated by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and encourage private sector investments in clean transportation. Additionally, they have launched the National Charging Experience Consortium, which seeks to develop practical solutions to ensure a convenient, reliable, and accessible charging experience for all Americans. The administration has entrusted the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, managed by the Departments of Energy and Transportation, to administer the Ride and Drive Electric program. The office has funded the Idaho National Laboratory to lead the National Charging Experience Consortium.
These announcements align with President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which aims to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure, create jobs, and foster a clean energy economy to combat climate change. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the importance of modernizing and electrifying the transportation sector to meet consumer needs and achieve widespread electrification. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg highlighted the creation of jobs in the EV industry and the development of reliable EV charging infrastructure across the country under President Biden’s leadership.
The funding opportunity, Ride and Drive Electric, is designed to enhance the resilience of EV charging, promote equitable access and opportunities for electrification, and improve the performance and reliability of EV charging. It will achieve these objectives by validating and testing charging equipment, exploring new business models for shared mobility and fleet-based services, and providing job opportunities and training resources for underserved communities. The initiative also aligns with the Justice40 Initiative, as applicants must outline the benefits that will be delivered to disadvantaged communities through this funding opportunity.
The National Charging Experience Consortium, led by the Idaho National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, aims to ensure a seamless and reliable charging experience for EV users. The consortium will collaborate with various stakeholders in the EV charging industry to address usability and accessibility issues. Already, it has received commitments from nearly 30 companies and organizations supporting the deployment of a reliable national charging network. The ChargeX Consortium works alongside the minimum standards for EV charging infrastructure projects funded by the Federal Highway Administration Title 23 and complements the Ride and Drive Electric funding opportunity.