By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The Biden administration will reveal how nearly $5Billion it will spend over five years on electric vehicle charging station construction.

In November, Congress authorized the state funding as part of a $1 Trillion infrastructure bill.

The White House is trying to encourage Americans to get rid of gasoline-powered cars, even though Congress has failed to provide substantial funding.

While the administration will provide $615 million in 2022, states are required to submit their plans and receive federal approval.

U.S. Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg claimed that funding would help him win the EV race, working together with labor and states to build a nationwide network of charging stations.

Biden wants half of all new automobiles sold in 2030 to be either electric or plug–in hybrid electric. There will also need to be 500,000 EV charging stations. Biden hasn’t supported the eventual end of sales for gasoline-powered cars by 2030.

In guidance issued Thursday by the Biden administration, it stated that interstate highway investments should be prioritized in states. Also, it states:

* States should fund DC Fast Chargers; stations should have at least four ports capable of simultaneously charging four EVs.

* States should install EV charging infrastructure every 50 miles along interstate highways and be located within 1 mile of highways.

* Federal funds will cover 80% of EV charging costs, with private or state funds making up the balance.

According to the administration, states are likely to choose to employ private companies to operate and install EV charging stations.

The White House endorsed legislation https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/retooling-auto-plants-evs-will-cost-billions-biden-wants-help-2021-11-17 stalled in Congress to increase current $7,500 EV tax credits to up to $12,500 for union-made U.S. vehicles, create credits of up to $4,000 for used EVs and lift the current 200,000-vehicle EV manufacturer tax credit cap, which would make General Motors (NYSE:) and Tesla (NASDAQ:) eligible again.

This bill contains a 30% credit on commercial electric vehicles and $3.5 billion to convert U.S. factories into EV production plants. It also includes $9 billion for the U.S. EVs will be purchased by the Postal Service as well as federal governments.