Six states with significant automotive workforces recently received federal funding to assist with adapting manufacturing facilities for the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.
The White House and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC), announced the $50 million in funding to help small and medium-sized suppliers retool manufacturing facilities for EV component production.
The funding comes from the DOE’s Domestic Automotive Manufacturing Conversion Grant program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.
“…America’s auto communities and the workforces they support finally have the tools they need to compete and thrive in the 21st century clean energy economy,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in a press release. “By helping states and manufacturers navigate the emerging EV manufacturing industry, today’s announcements will help ensure the workforces that defined America’s auto sector for the last 100 years will have the opportunity to shape the next 100 years.”
The funding announcement comes after an April 2024 Request for Information seeking feedback from local, state, federal, and non-government entities on existing and potential state-federal partnerships.
These partnerships aim to facilitate federal funding reaching automotive suppliers transitioning to serve electric, hybrid, or fuel cell vehicle supply chains. To be eligible for this funding, grantees must be a state, territory, or the District of Columbia, with at least 0.5% of their workforce employed in the automotive sector and be eligible for a minimum of $4 million in grant funding.
Based on these criteria, six states qualify:
- Michigan: $18,406,420.45
- Ohio: $9,373,236.32
- Indiana: $8,770,249.81
- Kentucky: $4,876,458.57
- Tennessee: $4,513,688.68
- Illinois: $4,059,946.17
States have until October 15, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET to submit an application.
The DOE also announced $1.5 million in funding for three teams of technical assistance providers under the expanded Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) program. These teams—led by the Purdue University Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Regents of the University of Michigan, and the Trustees of the University of Illinois—will collaborate with Argonne National Laboratory to develop and enhance a Small Supplier EV Transition Playbook. This playbook aims to guide internal combustion engine suppliers through the process of transitioning their business models to electric vehicle (EV) or related markets.
The ITAC program supports the development of a clean energy and manufacturing workforce that reflects America's diversity and strengthens the nation's manufacturing sector to lead in the global clean energy transition. It offers assessments to small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms to identify efficiency improvements, helping manufacturers reduce costs and enhancing the overall manufacturing base.
These initiatives also align with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of specific federal investments in climate, clean energy, and clean transportation reach disadvantaged communities that have historically faced underinvestment and pollution burdens.
The DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) will oversee funding for both the Domestic Automotive Manufacturing Conversion Grants, including state partnerships for SMMs, and the ITAC program.
GPRS Services Aid the EV Industry
Whether it’s the construction or renovation of an EV component manufacturing facility, or the installation of EV charging infrastructure, it’s vital that these projects are completed safely and within budget.
A single utility strike while excavating can endanger the lives of workers on site and any nearby community members – and cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Proper precautions – including following federal law and contacting your state’s 811 one-call service before digging – can help protect lives, money, and your schedule.
GPRS’ damage prevention services – including utility locating, precision concrete scanning & imaging, and video pipe inspections – help ensure you avoid subsurface damage while installing EV infrastructure. Utilizing ground penetrating radar (GPR) scanners and electromagnetic (EM) locators, our SIM and NASSCO-certified Project Managers (PMs) fully visualize the buried infrastructure on your site so you know where you can and can’t safely dig.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the components of electric vehicle charging infrastructure?
Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure refers to the network of charging stations and related services that provide electricity to recharge electric vehicles. This infrastructure includes various types of charging stations, from residential outlets to high-power stations designed for public use. Key components of this infrastructure include:
- Charging Stations: These are places where electric vehicles can be charged. They vary in speed and power output
- Connectors and Plugs: Different EV models may use different connectors. Common types include CHAdeMO, CCS (Combined Charging System), and Tesla's proprietary connector
- Network Services: Many charging stations are part of a network that offers services like finding available stations, reserving charging slots, and processing payments
- Support Services: Maintenance, customer support, and emergency assistance for EV drivers
What are the differences between regular and fast chargers for electric vehicles?
The main difference lies in their charging speed, which significantly affects how quickly an EV's battery can be recharged:
Regular Chargers (Level 1 and Level 2)
- Level 1 Chargers: These are standard household outlets (110-120V in the U.S.) and provide the slowest charging speed. It can take from 8 to 24 hours to fully charge an EV, depending on the battery capacity
- Level 2 Chargers: These are higher power chargers (240V in the U.S.) found in homes, workplaces, and some public areas. They can charge an EV battery from empty to full in 4 to 8 hours
Fast Chargers (DC Fast Chargers or Level 3 Chargers)
These chargers use direct current (DC) and much higher power levels (up to 480V or more). They can charge an EV battery to 80% capacity in as little as 20 to 30 minutes.
- Tesla Superchargers: A well-known example of fast chargers, these are designed specifically for Tesla vehicles and are among the fastest, offering charging speeds that can add up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes
Are EV charging stations free to use?
There are some free public chargers available, but many chargers require payment with a fee-based on how much energy gets transferred to the electric car. The rate can also be based on a per-minute-of-charging basis, battery size, the charger’s power, or the energy delivery efficiency to the vehicle.
Recent experiments with charging an EV while on the go, however, may change the way drivers pay for utilizing these services.
