Summary
- Biden Administration denies funding for Tesla’s electric vehicle charging corridor project for EV semi-trucks for the second time
- A total of 49 applicants won $636 million in Department of Transportation funding, with Tesla not being among the recipients
- Tesla and SCAQMD applied for funding through the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure program in 2023
- Tesla planned to build an EV charging corridor from Fremont, CA to Laredo, TX, with nine total stops along the way
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $2.5 billion for EV charging expansion, with potential for funding for Tesla under the new administration
Article
The Biden Administration has once again denied funding to Tesla for the construction of an electric vehicle charging corridor on the West Coast for EV semi-trucks. This is the second time Tesla has been snubbed for funding, despite working on the project with California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The Department of Transportation awarded $636 million to 49 applicants in this round of funding requests, but Tesla did not make the list of recipients. Tesla had applied for funding in 2023 as part of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program, which was established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal signed in 2021.
In 2024, Tesla and SCAQMD’s first request for funding for the EV charging corridor was denied. The corridor was planned to span from Fremont, California, to Laredo, Texas, with nine stops along the way. The locations included cities such as Bakersfield, Compton, and Indio in California, as well as Phoenix and San Simon in Arizona, and Sparks, Fort Stockton, and Laredo in Texas. Despite being denied funding in this round, it is unlikely that this is the final opportunity for funding, as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $2.5 billion for expanding EV charging infrastructure.
Given the potential for future funding opportunities, it is possible that Tesla could receive support in the future, especially considering President-elect Donald Trump’s impending inauguration and his relationship with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The relationship between the two figures could potentially influence future funding decisions related to EV charging infrastructure. With the significant funding allocated for charging expansion, there may be additional opportunities for Tesla to secure funding for projects like the EV charging corridor on the West Coast.
Overall, the denial of funding for the EV charging corridor project highlights the challenges faced by Tesla in accessing government support for expanding its charging infrastructure. Despite the significant investments made by Tesla in developing plans for the corridor, the company was not selected as a recipient for funding in this round. The decision underscores the competitive nature of funding requests for EV infrastructure projects and the need for continued advocacy and partnerships to secure funding for future initiatives.
It will be important for Tesla to continue to engage with government agencies and decision-makers to make a case for the importance of projects like the EV charging corridor. By highlighting the benefits of expanding EV charging infrastructure, Tesla can demonstrate the positive impact such projects can have on reducing emissions and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles. Through continued collaboration and advocacy efforts, Tesla can position itself to be a leading player in the development of EV charging infrastructure and secure funding for projects that support the company’s mission of accelerating the transition to sustainable transportation.
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