Governments around the world are pushing electric vehicles (EVs) as a means of tackling environmental concerns and climate change commitments. Most recently, the US outlined targets for EVs to account for half of all new car sales by 2030. Similarly, the country’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, which represents the largest long-term investment in infrastructure in nearly a century, could provide pivotal support to EV charging infrastructure.
EV policy expert Ellen Hughes-Cromwick argues that charging stations are the backbone of the transition to EVs. She believes that investment is especially critical to support public charging stations for those drivers who cannot install private charging units at home. Hughes-Cromwick has been helping to shape US policy on his front for years. She currently serves as a Senior Resident Fellow for Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program, and has been engaging with the Biden Administration and Democratic members of Congress on EV policy. She previously served as Chief Economist of the US Department of Commerce during the Obama Administration and spent more than 18 years as Ford’s Chief Economist. She is also one of the authors on the recent Third Way report, Beyond BID: Getting EV Charging Plugged Into Reconciliation, which explores the federal policies and investments needed to rapidly expand US charging infrastructure.
The US may have a grand vision for an electric future, but just how much work will it take to get there, and are the current policies the best way to go about it? Hughes-Cromwick shares her take on this endeavour with Automotive World.
