WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg faced scrutiny on Sunday over the slow progress of electric vehicle (EV) charging station rollouts under the Biden administration. The criticism stemmed from concerns raised about the limited number of charging stations established across the country in the last few years.
President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November 2021, setting aside $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. A significant portion of this funding, $5 billion, was allocated to create a network of chargers along major highways, known as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.
During an appearance on CBS News’ Face the Nation, Buttigieg was questioned by host Margaret Brennan about the inefficiency in deploying the allocated funds for charging stations. In response, Buttigieg emphasized that the administration’s objective is to install half a million chargers by the end of the decade. He explained that the construction of charging stations involves more than just installing devices and requires extensive utility work. Buttigieg also highlighted the collaborative efforts with all 50 states to utilize formula dollars for the project.
Buttigieg reiterated Biden’s ambitious goal of achieving 500,000 chargers by 2030. He acknowledged that the initial stages of constructing a few chargers are already underway but emphasized that it marks only the beginning of a broader construction phase.
Following Buttigieg’s comments, social media users, particularly on Twitter, derided his explanation. Criticism came from various quarters, including Chief White House correspondent Simon Ateba, who described the progress as a “MASSIVE FAILURE.” The video segment of Buttigieg struggling to explain the low number of charging stations was shared widely, eliciting further negative reactions.
Notably, reactions from individuals like J Hans, a combat veteran and MAGA supporter, highlighted the disappointment with Buttigieg’s handling of the charging station issue. Questions were raised about his effectiveness in overseeing the infrastructure development, especially in comparison to private sector efficiency.
Criticism also extended to political figures such as Senator Ted Cruz’s former communications adviser, Steve Guest, who pointed out the discrepancy between the significant investment made and the limited results achieved in establishing charging stations. The overall sentiment on social media reflected growing frustration and skepticism towards the pace and effectiveness of the administration’s efforts in advancing electric vehicle infrastructure.