Press Releases

   WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced Maine will receive $2,856,158 this year under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along key roads and highways. Passed by the Democratic Congress and signed into law by President Biden, these investments will create good-paying jobs to improve charger access for Maine drivers, help protect the environment, and support American car manufacturers’ rapidly-growing EV production.

“Transportation accounts for more than 50 percent of Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles can significantly lower our carbon footprint, but less than 1 percent of vehicles on Maine roads are electric,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I proudly helped pass, is once again delivering for Maine, our environment, and our economy—paving the way for cleaner, easier driving and supporting good-paying union jobs. I remain committed to working with our state and local leaders to ensure that these funds are swiftly deployed to where Maine drivers need them most. The EV revolution is just beginning.”

The United States’ network of 100,000 chargers is currently insufficient to service the growing number of EV owners — and also struggles with inconsistent plug types, payment options and data availability.  The IIJA is investing in good-paying union jobs to address these shortcomings, advancing President Biden’s goal to expand the U.S. network to 500,000 chargers and grow electric vehicles sales to 50 percent of the automobile market by 2030.

Distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, the funds announced today will put Mainers to work building a convenient and equitable network of chargers across the state, making electric vehicles more accessible for both local and long-distance trips. In total, the FHWA is delivering nearly $5 billion in formula funding over the next five years to expand charging access across the country. 

Pingree is well-known as a leader for Congressional action on the looming climate crisis. She is an original cosponsor of the Green New Deal and was recently elected by her caucus to serve as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee where she has made climate change mitigation her top priority. She is also a cosponsor of the Electric Cars Act which would fully extend the electric vehicle tax credit for 10 years and deploy critical charging infrastructure.

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