FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 24, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT:

Christina Heartquist, christina.heartquist@sunstonestrategies.org, (408) 661 2666

Alex Mountfield, alex.mountfield@sunstonestrategies.org, (202) 599 7509

REPORT: Arizona awarded $205 million in federal funding for EV projects, charging infrastructure over 3 years

Landmark federal investments helped push available charging ports to 3,800+ and counting

PHOENIX — Arizona has been allocated and awarded over $205 million in federal funding for electric vehicle (EV) projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, according to a new issue brief published today by the CHARGE Coalition and Atlas Public Policy.

“Federal funding is scaling up EV charging station access across Arizona,” said Bridget Sanderson, lead coordinator for the CHARGE coalition. “To ensure that all communities across Arizona share the benefits of new job opportunities, economic activity, and cleaner air that comes with supporting EV adoption, we need to protect and expand these public investments.”

The issue brief, titled EV Charging Gets Connected in the Copper State, quantifies the massive growth of EV charging infrastructure since Q4 of 2020 and details the wide array of federal funding streams channeling infrastructure dollars toward the state’s clean transportation and climate goals. The transportation sector is responsible for 40% of annual greenhouse gas emissions in Arizona, making efforts to address tailpipe pollution and increase EV adoption crucial to meeting the state’s climate targets.

As of October 2024, 3,839 public charging ports are available at 1,310 locations across Arizona. Of these, 1,082 are DC fast chargers, while 2,757 are Level 2 ports. Almost three-quarters of all public charging ports in Arizona have been installed since Q4 of 2020. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, growth in U.S. charging infrastructure can create almost 160,000 jobs nationally by 2032.

“This isn’t just about making an EV road trip more feasible,” said Stephen Naimoli, brief co-author and Policy Analyst at Atlas Public Policy. “Public charging stations are the key to giving renters, condo owners, street parkers, and anyone who can’t charge at home the option to drive electric.”

Phoenix in particular is planning for increased EV deployment. In June 2022, following extensive input from impacted communities, the Phoenix City Council unanimously passed a Transportation Electrification Action Plan. The city made equity a focus throughout the process, holding 16 outreach meetings with low-income neighborhoods to understand their concerns including access to electric mobility.

“Thanks to federal clean transportation funding, Arizona can continue to emerge as an EV leader in the US,” said Alexia Melendez Martineau, Senior Policy Manager at Plug In America. “Cochise County, San Carlos Apache Tribal Council, and Phoenix’s ambition and progress act as a role model for other communities across the state to maximize the impact of this massive funding opportunity. With rigorous planning and deep community engagement, we can create a difference in people's lives — making the air healthier to breathe and offering new economic opportunities.”

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