Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm recently praised electric vehicles as not only better for the environment but a driver of U.S. jobs and a path to reducing dependence on Chinese parts. However, she noted more charging stations are needed for adoption to become more widespread. While EVs made up 7% of new vehicle sales in the U.S. last year, President Biden has said he’d like them to reach 50% by 2030.
J.D. Power has cited skepticism over public charging availability as the main reason consumers don’t embrace electric vehicles. Currently, the U.S. has about 170,000 charging stations, with about 900 added per week. Granholm expects to reach 500,000 by 2026, including one every 50 miles along the freeway.
She noted satisfaction with EVs “is through the roof — like 95%,” as the vehicles are much less expensive to operate. “If you fill up your average gas tank today, an average car, it’s about $49. If you charge and go that same distance, it’s about $15.”
To promote adoption, the Department of Energy is investing in the U.S. supply chain, which means more jobs, Granholm said. These jobs will include mineral extraction, mineral processing, battery manufacture and battery assembly in the vehicle. “It’s really a huge manufacturing and jobs win for the country to be able to build this ecosystem here.”
