The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a new grant program worth up to $300 million to support the expansion of electric transmission infrastructure, accelerate the siting and permitting processes, and create jobs in line with President Biden's climate and clean energy goals.
The Biden administration is providing $12 billion in grants and loans to incentivize automakers and suppliers to retrofit their plants for the production of electric and advanced vehicles.
Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution are planning to invest an additional $2 billion into their electric vehicle and battery manufacturing plant in Georgia, increasing the total investment to nearly $7.6 billion and creating 400 more jobs. The investment will support the production of 300,000 electric vehicles annually and enhance battery technology for greater range and lower weight.
The Biden administration faces pressure to deliver on its promise of better wages and benefits for workers at electric vehicle facilities as negotiations between the United Auto Workers union and major US automakers continue, with the announcement of up to $12 billion in loans from the Department of Energy to retrofit existing manufacturing facilities for EV production and create high-paying union jobs.
Tesla has requested $100 million in funding from the US government to build nine Megacharging stations for its all-electric semi trucks, allowing up to eight Semis to charge simultaneously at each station and curbing pollution in industrial shipping.
The Biden-Harris Administration is allocating $100 million in federal funding to repair and replace nonoperational EV chargers in the US, aiming to accelerate EV adoption and create new jobs in the industry, while also strengthening the country's electrical grid in preparation for the shift towards electrification.