WASHINGTON— Congressman Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) and Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) have introduced H.R. 4326, the Electric Vehicle Mobility Area Planning Act (EV MAP Act). The bill would create a $10 million grant program to assist localities and electric utilities to identify the locations for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their communities. The bill was previously introduced last Congress.

O’Halleran and Burgess’ bipartisan legislation will help ensure that rural areas are not left out of investments in EV infrastructure and will spur the creation of manufacturing jobs in the EV sector. The grant program will assist communities in saving money on transportation costs, reducing environmental impacts from tailpipe emissions, and gaining access to new, cutting edge transportation technology. The grants will produce publicly accessible information, allowing consumers and developers to make the best planning and investment decisions for their area’s needs. 

View text of the bill, HERE.

“As new investments are made in electric vehicles, we must ensure that rural areas are not left behind,” said O’Halleran. “With several automated car manufacturing facilities already contributing to the economy of our growing state, this bipartisan bill will support communities and the private sector as they identify priority areas to make the best investments in EV infrastructure. Our bill will help lower emissions, combat climate change, and create new, good-paying jobs for Arizonans.”

“With the advancement of America’s electric vehicle fleet, more and more Americans are choosing this innovative technology for their personal vehicle,” said Burgess. “To remain competitive, EV owners, utility operators, and EV charging developers are demanding the latest information as they work to establish tomorrow’s EV charging system throughout the United States. The EV MAP Act will provide grants to develop highly valuable maps necessary to produce the needed data to place these stations. This allows better decisions within a free market, without massive taxpayer spending or heavy-handed federal mandates.”

The legislation has received the support of industry experts as well as energy and climate non-profits:

Jim Matheson, CEO, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association: "Electric cooperatives are expanding investment in electric vehicle infrastructure to meet the evolving expectations of their consumer-members and communities. This legislation will help cooperatives make informed investments in charging infrastructure, alleviating a potential challenge to broad rural consumer adoption of EVs. We applaud Reps. O’Halleran and Burgess for their leadership in advancing this critical technology.”

Elgie Holstein, Senior Director for Strategic Planning, Environmental Defense Fund: “The bipartisan Electric Vehicle Mobility Area Planning Act (EV MAP) is an important step toward a clean and dependable transportation system. Identifying and mapping the needs of electric vehicle owners and other stakeholders will be important in order to build out a national network of charging and related infrastructure that can adequately support growing numbers of clean vehicles. In addition to research, we will also need substantial investment as we move towards the goal of a clean transportation system that benefits our economy, reduces climate pollution and helps foster healthier communities. Representatives Tom O’Halleran and Michael Burgess, M.D. deserve credit for their effort to build support for these smart, pro-jobs policies.”

Desmarie Waterhouse, Vice President of Government Relations & Counsel, American Public Power Association: “Public power utilities are actively working to meet the distinct transportation electrification needs of their local communities. The American Public Power Association commends Representatives O’Halleran and Burgess for their leadership in introducing the EV Map Act and support for smart EV infrastructure investments”

Heather Reams, Executive Director, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions: “We know that electric vehicles (EVs) can help significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thanks to the success of U.S. automakers, we also know that market demand for EVs is steadily growing. But, if we want EVs to really have an impact, we need to address drivers’ concerns about the ability to recharge an EV when and where they need to. The grant program envisioned under the Electric Vehicle Mobility Area Planning Act (EV MAP Act) is an excellent way for the government to support adoption of EVs accordingly by addressing the underlying infrastructure in a free market-friendly way. The EV MAP Act would support a data-driven analysis of where electric vehicle charging stations should be located based on where they will be most needed and most useful. Thank you to Reps. Michael Burgess and Tom O’Halleran for their bipartisan leadership in helping introduce this bill, which will open up more transportation choices for all Americans without adding to the taxpayer’s burden.”

Brian Wolff, Executive Vice President, Public Policy and External Affairs, Edison Electric Institute: "EEI’s member companies—America’s investor-owned electric companies—are leading a clean energy transformation by continuing to reduce carbon emissions in our sector and by helping other sectors transition to clean, efficient electric energy. Across the country, EEI’s members are partnering with communities and stakeholders to support transportation electrification and the growth of the EV charging infrastructure needed for passenger vehicles, as well as fleets of every kind. We thank Congressmen Tom O’Halleran and Michael Burgess for their leadership in introducing the EV Map Act and for their efforts to ensure we have the right public policies in place to enable widespread adoption for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric vehicles."

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