FYI: Former President Trump Claims $9 Billion Spent on Just 8 EV Chargers – Debunked
Former President Donald Trump has made several claims that certainly ruffle feathers, especially when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs). One of his most recent assertions has veered so far from the truth that it demands correction. This isn’t about political rivalry or upcoming elections; it’s about setting the record straight. When misleading information about EVs or EV charging surfaces, it’s our job at Automotive.fyi to pull the brakes and clarify the facts.
In at least three public speeches recently—including at the Republican National Convention and rallies in North Carolina and Atlanta—Trump alleged that the Biden administration spent a hefty sum of $9 billion on "eight chargers." The claim was as eye-popping as it was inaccurate.
EVs in the Political Spotlight
Electric vehicles have increasingly become a hot topic and a political punching bag, particularly for Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance. Both have called for slashing funding for EV-related policies.
The Reality of EV Charging Costs
Firstly, it’s crucial to understand what Trump might have been referring to. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, established by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, earmarked $5 billion to enhance the country’s EV charging network, especially along major highways. This initiative aims to tackle one of the biggest hurdles for potential EV buyers: reliable charging infrastructure.
Administered through the U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, the program has disbursed $2.4 billion to states so far. Contrary to Trump’s misleading statements, this funding isn’t for "eight chargers." More accurately, 15 NEVI-funded charging stations have been built, providing a total of 61 individual chargers across eight states, including Ohio, New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Utah, Hawaii, Maine, and Vermont.
Understanding the NEVI Implementation
Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office, provided insights into the program’s rollout, explaining why it’s a gradual process. "We live in a 24-hour news cycle, and we just think, ‘Hey, you pass a bill, and then next year there are chargers.’ And that’s just not how it works if you’re talking about building out major infrastructure,” he said. It takes about 18-24 months just to bring power to a DC fast charger after the utility is alerted, involving numerous steps including project design and solicitation of bids.
Actual Costs of EV Chargers
So, the notion of $9 billion for just eight chargers is wildly exaggerated. The Joint Office estimates the cost of each NEVI-funded port at about $149,667, of which the federal government covers 80%, or $119,733 per port. Even at the high end, we’re talking about government spending in the hundreds of thousands per station.
The first phase of the NEVI initiative aims to fill significant gaps in the EV infrastructure by placing stations every 50 miles along major corridors. According to Joint Office analysis, 1,537 locations with a total of 9,222 plugs are planned, costing around $1.1 billion.
Tackling Trump’s Misconceptions
In his Atlanta speech, Trump made further claims about the impracticality and astronomical costs of EV charging infrastructure. Specifically, he exaggerated the future expenditure for sufficient EV chargers to a whopping $9 trillion. For context, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that the U.S. will need between $53 billion and $127 billion in public and private investments in EV charging by 2030—a far cry from Trump’s inflated figures.
Interestingly, Trump did get one thing somewhat right when he described a charger as "a gas pump with electricity coming through it." It’s a simplistic yet somewhat accurate analogy that highlights the functional similarity between fueling stations and EV chargers.
Conclusion
Trump’s $9 billion claim for eight chargers is unfounded. The NEVI program is progressing as expected, albeit at a deliberate pace due to the complexities involved in building new infrastructure. By the end of this year, the number of operational charging points is expected to rise significantly, with thousands more anticipated by 2025.
For more insights and updates, reach out to us at tips@automotive.fyi, or follow us on Twitter @automotivefyi.
By William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
