05.06.21

Durbin: Investment In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure In American Jobs Plan Key To Maintain U.S. Global Economic Edge

NORMAL – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Mayor Chris Koos to discuss the need to invest in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure as part of President Biden’s American Jobs Plan (AJP). The AJP proposes a $174 billion investment in EVs, including new tax incentives to buy American-made EVs and a grant program for state and local governments and the private sector to build 500,000 charging stations by 2030. 

“Normal is stepping up to the plate to ensure the United States continues to lead in the global economy, even as competitors like China ramp up their own electric vehicle production,” Durbin said. “All around Illinois, we see efforts to create this future. Researchers at Argonne and the University of Illinois continue to push the boundaries of vehicle and battery technology. Their pioneering work will produce batteries that last longer and charge faster—and can be recycled safely and easily. Beyond batteries, Illinois leads the way in researching clean energy technology, quantum computing, A.I., and many of the other technologies we need to reach this economy of the future. I will continue to support robust, sustained funding for electric vehicle infrastructure and the innovation that drives our economy forward.”

The AJP also calls for the electrification of 20 percent of school buses and the use of federal procurement to electrify the federal fleet; a $180 billion investment in research, including $40 billion to upgrade Illinois laboratories like Argonne and Fermi; and $15 billion for climate research and development demonstration projects like energy storage and EVs.

Next month, Rivian’s EV manufacturing facility in Normal will begin producing its inaugural line of electric trucks, SUVs, and delivery vans. The facility is expected to employ 2,500 workers by the end of the year. Rivian also is contracted to produce 100,000 electric delivery vans for Amazon, an investor in the company.

There are more than 1.7 million EVs in the U.S., with more than 28,000 registered in Illinois. Recent projections indicate that the number of EVs in the U.S could reach 20 million by 2030.  

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