By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. Transportation Department will propose minimum standards for charging electric vehicles (EVs) under a $5B government program.

Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary, stated that everyone should have the ability to count on fair pricing and fast charges.

The Biden Administration’s effort to encourage more Americans to use electric cars is dependent on the availability of reliable, fast charging stations nationwide. This even though Congress has failed to provide substantial funding.

Biden wants to see 50% of new cars sold by 2030 be either electric or plug in hybrid electric. He also plans on 500,000 new electric charging stations. Biden hasn’t endorsed the phasing-out of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2030.

These standards are intended to make sure the government-funded EV-charging network is “user-friendly, reliable and accessible to all Americans” and that it can be interoperable with different charging companies using similar payment systems and pricing information.

Federal Highway Administration’s new proposal would allow EV owners nationwide to charge at charging stations that have similar payment and pricing systems.

Buttigieg stated, “Everybody should find a functioning charging station whenever they need it”

It shouldn’t take you a long time to navigate through all the apps on your smartphone to charge at a charging point.

This would allow EV stations to communicate with each other and use the same software platform.

According to the rules, EV charging stations that are funded must have at minimum four charging ports and four charging outlets capable of fast charging up to four EVs. Drivers will not be required to join these stations.

The EV chargers should be running 97% of all the time. Third-party apps must also meet data standards to provide accurate charging status information.

The proposed rules establish standards of certification for those who install, operate, or maintain EV chargers.