Mayor Gallego, Mayor Romero, and Councilwoman Ansari React to Arizona Qualifying for $76.5 Million to Develop Electric Charging Stations

Arizona, thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has qualified to receive $76.5 million to develop electric charging stations along its six federal interstate highway systems.

According to reporting from AZ Mirror, the goal of the five billion dollar national program is to expand the amount of electric charging stations across the country from 47,055 to over 500,000.

Arizona is in line to receive just over $11 of the $76 million this year.  Interstate highway systems, where most long distance travel takes place, will be the primary focus of the first grant allotments. Rural and underserved areas will receive funds in a second installment later in the year.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has until August 1, 2022 to submit their proposals for the first $11 million to the federal government.

Cited in the Arizona Mirror article, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said:

“The reality is nobody benefits more from EVs, in principle, than those who drive the longest distances, which is often our rural Americans. (This program will) help to create jobs, fight the climate change crisis and ensure that this game-changing technology is affordable and accessible for every American.”

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, and Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari React to the Electric Charging Station Program.

Commenting for this article, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego expressed enthusiasm for the Electric Charging Station Program, stating:

“Investment in electric vehicle charging stations promises business growth opportunities, high-quality careers, better air, and advances our climate initiatives. We’re aligning our policies with priorities for the future, delivering a bold investment in clean transportation. Costs will go down, manufacturing capacity will go up, and the City of Phoenix will go further in electrifying our transit system. It’s a win-win for growing promising green jobs that support local families.”

Also commenting for this article, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero positively supported this development, offering:

“The City of Tucson is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. As the third-fastest warming city in the U.S., decarbonizing the transportation sector is a key component of our work. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program will provide cities like Tucson, expanded resources to equitably expand EVs, especially in communities that have faced historic disinvestment. I want to thank the Biden Administration and Arizona’s Congressional delegation for fighting to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act last fall.”

Also commenting for this article, Phoenix Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari, the chairperson of Phoenix’s Electric Ad Hoc Committee,  enthusiastically relayed:

“Here in Phoenix, at the center of what is being dubbed the ‘Electric Valley’, we are working diligently to accelerate EV adoption through our EV Ad Hoc Committee with big goals around public, workplace, and home charging within the city. Interstate charging is another area where I’m thrilled to see federal investment in Arizona. We know that range anxiety is a big barrier for residents and that having a network that connects them to the rest of the state and the southwest region will make transitioning to an EV immensely more comfortable.”