The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the selection of 45 projects totaling $87 million to advance production of next-generation electric vehicle (EV) technologies, train the future electrified transportation workforce, and ensure the equitable deployment of clean mobility options in disadvantaged communities. Spanning 18 states and Washington, D.C., the selected projects will accelerate the electrification of domestic transportation, advance more sustainable EV technologies, and educate consumers on the benefits of EV ownership and potential cost savings. This announcement supports the President’s Investing in America agenda by onshoring and re-shoring domestic manufacturing of key technologies and infrastructure that are critical to reaching the nation’s clean transportation future.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is the springboard for American workers and consumers to power the movement to eliminate transportation-related emissions and fight climate change,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The selected projects reflect the Department’s commitment to advancing the clean transportation sector — from expanding convenient charging options, to growing the future workforce and developing the key technologies that will lead to our fully electrified transportation future.”
Fiscal Year 2022 Project Selections
In support of the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, projects funded by this $87 million funding opportunity will drive innovation in technology and materials development for EVs; create new concepts to lower emissions associated with off-road vehicles, rail and maritime transportation; and develop novel solutions to deploying clean mobility options in underserved communities in support of President Biden’s Justice 40 Initiative. The selected projects will grow the nation’s clean energy workforce and allow more Americans to lead this critical work through good-paying union jobs.
Funded through DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office, through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the selected projects are expected to:
- Create EV charging solutions for those without home charging. Awardees across multiple projects will develop innovative approaches, tools, and outreach needed to supply EV charging solutions for Americans lacking access to dedicated residential charging options; including by developing plans to install charging stations at more than 2,500 multifamily home properties.
- Develop clean energy plans for underserved communities. Awardees across 13 projects will invest in local organizations and Clean Cities coalitions to develop community-driven strategic plans for transportation decarbonization and community-driven EV charging reports for urban, rural, and Tribal communities.
- Provide transition training to build the clean energy workforce. Awardees across multiple projects will coordinate with local Clean Cities coalitions to equip workers with the skills necessary to transition into the clean energy transportation workforce.
- Advance EV technologies and materials. Awardees across multiple projects will develop new hardware and materials to improve EV efficiency by lowering weight, reducing costs, and minimizing the need for heavy-rare earth elements.
- Decarbonizing Off- and Non-Road Vehicles. Awardees across multiple projects will research, develop, and validate innovative charging solutions for non-road EVs used in agriculture or aviation applications.
- Deploy targeted clean energy solutions. In conjunction with Clean Cities coalitions, awardees across 10 projects will demonstrate and deploy clean energy solutions to electrify school buses, food and consumer goods delivery bicycles, and even commercial fishing vessels.
The selected projects will support the $2.5 billion recently announced by the Federal Highway Administration to build and deploy EV charging nationwide, including in rural communities and low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.