US DOE Announces $187M to Accelerate Electric Transportation

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new $99.5 million funding opportunity in addition to 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, DC, 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.

The newly announced funding opportunity will support projects that improve EV charging infrastructure for underserved communities, develop EV batteries that use abundant materials, and support additional EV and charging education consumers.

Both announcements support 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 US Secretary of Energy Jennifer 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.”

In support of the US National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonisation, 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 (VTO), through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), 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 multi-family home properties.

•Develop clean energy plans for underserved communities. Awardees across 13 projects will invest in local organisations and Clean Cities coalitions to develop community-driven strategic plans for transportation decarbonisation 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 minimising the need for heavy-rare earth elements.

•Decarbonising 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.

Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. DOE and the applicants will first undergo a negotiation and DOE may cancel award negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason.

VTO’s fiscal year 2023 funding opportunity, totaling $99.5 million, will support projects to reduce soft costs to improve EV charging infrastructure in underserved communities, provide consumer education on EVs and EV charging, and develop batteries that use low-cost, abundant materials.

This funding opportunity seeks the participation of underserved communities and underrepresented groups, and applicants are required to submit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plans describing actions taken to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, support people from underrepresented groups in STEM, and advance equity.--OGN