ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld and Coppin State University President Anthony L. Jenkins at Coppin State University to announce that the Maryland Clean Energy Center, the state’s official green bank, will receive a $15 million Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding will support installation of 58 electric vehicle charging stations across the state.

“I’ve been very clear that Maryland will achieve 100% clean energy by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2045, but in order to move closer to our goals, we need to bring everyone along for the ride,” said Governor Moore. “I want to thank the Biden Administration, our federal partners, local leaders, and the Maryland Clean Energy Center for making this happen together, as this project will set an example for the rest of the state and the country in what equitable climate action looks like. It’s not enough to ask people to see themselves in the consequences of climate change – they need to see themselves in the promise of climate action, and that philosophy is at the heart of this historic investment.”

“To address the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Maryland and achieve our administration’s clean energy goals we need to build an entire electric ecosystem – including a comprehensive charging network,” said Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. “Today’s announcement brings us closer to our goals and will make it easier for Marylanders to participate in a clean energy future and reap the economic benefits that come with it.”

The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program will strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places that people live and work – urban and rural areas alike – in addition to along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Program investments will make modern and sustainable infrastructure accessible to all drivers of electric, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas vehicles.

In addition to the funding provided to the Maryland Clean Energy Center, the Biden-Harris Administration also announced $623 million in grants to help build out a nationwide electric vehicle charging network, including support for 47 projects across 22 states and Puerto Rico and the construction of approximately 7,500 electric vehicle charging ports.

“USDOT is proud to provide $623 million for EV chargers in communities across the country including 58 EV chargers across Maryland,” said U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Trottenberg. “These investments will provide drivers with convenient charging options in addition to addressing climate change, creating good-paying jobs, and boosting the economy.”

“Robust, reliable EV infrastructure is critical as the country works to transition from gas to electric vehicles,” said Senator Cardin. “This historic federal investment will both strengthen EV infrastructure in Maryland and throughout the country and take significant steps in improving transportation, reducing our carbon emissions and meeting our climate goals.”

“The EV transition is a critical part of our mission to both tackle the climate crisis and build a better environmental and economic future for our state and our nation, but we need a robust and reliable charging network to accomplish it. This Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding will create jobs while improving equitable access to EV charging so more Marylanders can start plugging their cars in — instead of fueling them up,” said Senator Van Hollen. “We will keep working to invest in clean transportation projects like this because it is good for American jobs, Marylanders’ pocketbooks, and our planet.”

“I continue to be proud of our joint congressional efforts with my colleagues in Team Maryland, alongside the Biden-Harris Administration, to combat the climate crisis and prepare America for a clean energy future in every community,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. “Today’s $15 million announcement is just another example of what we have been able to accomplish working together.”

The Maryland Clean Energy Center’s proposed vehicle charging station locations include Coppin State University, faith-based and municipal sites, tourism and travel locations, auto dealerships, and more than 30 sites located in underserved communities. The project also includes workforce development that will provide training and financing to support under-represented groups that are entering the industry, in addition to developing 600 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program certified electricians through International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) apprenticeship and retraining programs.

“As Baltimore joins cities around the country in confronting the very real impacts of the climate crisis and working to become more resilient, investments like this one from the Biden Administration are critical,” said Mayor Scott. “I want to thank Governor Moore, Senators Cardin and Van Hollen, Congressman Mfume, and everyone who has had a hand in bringing these new EV charging stations to Baltimore. As we continue to build out this new green technology, I’m proud to be doing it with partners like Maryland Equitable Charging Infrastructure Program that are helping to ensure we’re taking these steps in a way that benefits all Baltimoreans.”

“This federal grant perfectly complements Maryland’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan and will further expand our EV charging network across the state,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Wiedefeld. “With this CFI grant and the expansion of EVs, we will help fill the gap for those who are unable to power up at their apartment or townhome and ensure Marylanders feel comfortable making the switch to EVs.”

“There was remarkable cooperation demonstrated by both public and private sector partners in pursuit of these federal grant funds,” said Maryland Clean Energy Center Executive Director Katherine Magruder. “I’m grateful for this award, which enables installation of EV chargers to be located in communities that might otherwise be missing access to clean transportation, and will ultimately help achieve state greenhouses gas emissions reduction goals.”

Risks of Electric Vehicles

There are reasons to feel good about electric vehicles, but consumers must consider one thing before they drive off with one, according to Forbes: battery safety. Lithium-ion batteries – a feature of many electric cars – have several safety concerns.

Forbes reports:

There are problems with these batteries: overheating and flammability, short life spans and underperformance, toxicity and logistics challenges, such as proper disposal and transportation.

Suppose a lithium-ion battery short circuits, for example, which can happen from causes including a battery cell puncture or heat exposure during a car accident. These batteries can even spontaneously combust because of silicon expansion, dendrite formation or other reasons. In that case, the battery produces a spontaneous fireball explosion that heats to 1300°F in milliseconds and can be impossible to survive. In April, another deadly lithium-ion battery fire occurred in a Tesla car crash in Houston, Texas; it took firefighters more than four hours and 30,000 gallons of water to put out the blaze.

Higher expenses associated with electric cars are also a concern for consumers.  Just this week, rental car company Hertz announced that it is selling about 20,000 electric vehicles, including Teslas, from its U.S. fleet about two years after a deal with the automaker to offer its vehicles for rent, in another sign that EV demand has cooled.

Hertz will instead opt for gas-powered vehicles, it said on Thursday, citing higher expenses related to collision and damage for EVs even though it had aimed to convert 25% of its fleet to electric by 2024 end.

There are also other risks associated with electric vehicles that, just like any other nascent technology, researchers recommend examining further.

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