The White House recently implemented rules for various federal funding opportunities requiring companies to be Buy America compliant. This offers a major opportunity for the EV charging industry. The Buy America standards require that all steel and iron incorporated into a project must be produced in the United States.
The assembly and manufacturing processes of certain products, including EV chargers, must also be done in the United States. These requirements aim to not only promote US job growth, but also to ensure that industry supply chains are secure and stable. Supply chain concerns frequently were front page news during the COVID-19 pandemic when the cost and time to produce products skyrocketed. For supply chain resiliency, it is critical that these Buy America requirements are upheld for federal infrastructure projects such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program that is being implemented this year across the country to build out our nation’s EV charging infrastructure.
President Biden has set a goal of deploying a national network of 500,000 EV chargers along America’s highways and transitioning new car sales to 50% EVs by 2030. To support this goal, his Administration has announced the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that invests $7.5 billion towards an EV charging infrastructure, $10 billion in clean transportation and over $7 billion in EV battery components, critical minerals and materials.
As the EV industry sees significant growth, this is the perfect opportunity for the Buy America concept to be put into practice. Well-paying manufacturing and installation jobs in the EV charging industry will help the United States reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and Buy America requirements will help ensure that they stay here.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
With Buy America compliance, a company is effectively investing its money and time into communities across the US, which creates jobs and drives economic growth for the surrounding areas for years to come. Investing in our national infrastructure, as well as in American companies, means that our citizens continue to benefit from the investment the federal government makes with taxpayer dollars.
Blink Charging (Blink), as an example, is a Buy America compliant EV charging company that follows the standards set by the federal government.
This means:
• US-Based Manufacturing
Employing more than 250 people around the US, Blink manufactures EV charging stations and has deployed more than 66,000 chargers in 27 countries. Many of these chargers are manufactured here in the United States at Blink’s Bowie, Maryland facility, about 30 minutes outside of Annapolis. Blink assembles stateof-the-art Level 2 home and commercial EV chargers and employs more than 50 individuals in Maryland.
• Testing and Research
Blink conducts testing and configuration of its EV chargers in its 24,000 sq. ft. facility in Tempe, Arizona. While testing and configuration is not a requirement for Buy America compliance, Blink tests over 150 products daily. The Tempe facility is also home to a team that conducts technical and customer support services for chargers nationwide, ensuring that made-in-America products can also be serviced by a stateside workforce in a timely manner.
• Component Materials and Labor
In addition to manufacturing and testing in the US, Blink sources materials for charger components from US-based companies. The steel and iron incorporated into any charger manufactured in the US is also produced in the US. By sourcing locally, Blink is supporting domestic industries and job creation across the country.
Buy America standards promote domestic economic growth and encourage companies to keep and grow their businesses at home. Blink is proud to play a part in revitalizing American manufacturing, help fulfil the nation’s need for EV charging infrastructure, and contribute to the growing clean energy economy.
Michael Battaglia is chief revenue officer at Blink Charging, a global leading manufacturer, owner, operator and provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and services.
Learn more at blinkcharging.com.
