El Paso receives $15M for 74 EV charging stations under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

El Paso Electric public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station at the Arcadia at Montecillo apartment complex.
(Credit: KFOX14/CBS4)

KFOX14
by Drew Pittock
Wednesday, January 10, 2024

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Thanks to the federal government's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the City of El Paso is getting $15 million to install more than 74 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the Borderland, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar announced Wednesday.

In a statement issued Jan. 10, Rep. Escobar said that the City of El Paso will be a beneficiary of the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s FY23 Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant.

“I’m happy to announce that the City of El Paso will be awarded $15M from the USDOT FHWA's Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) grant to design and install a total of 74 EV charging ports,” Congresswoman Escobar said. “As the only representative in our region to vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I'm proud that even three years later, we're continuing to see the direct and robust benefits on the ground in our community. Our city was one of only 15 sites in the country to be selected, proving, again, our commitment to sustainable economic development.”

The grant -- which was supported by a letter from Rep. Escobar -- is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will directly invest $15 million to design and install more than 74 EV charging stations in public spaces throughout the city, including two in Fort Bliss, four at the port of entries, and many more near retail businesses, multi-family housing complexes and community centers.

The federal government's $15 million investment will be supplemented with an additional $3.75 million from El Paso Electric.

The initiative is part of the larger efforts by Rep. Escobar and the Climate Crisis Advisory Committee (CCAC), which consists of local stakeholders and experts focused on driving economic growth and reducing climate change impact in El Paso.

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser said of the funding,

This funding will empower us to lead the way in sustainable mobility, as we embark on the design and installation of 74 EV charging ports strategically placed at publicly accessible locations, from multi-family dwellings to retail businesses and community centers. Federal funding will allow the City to install 4 Level 3 DCFC EV charging sites and 70 Level 2 Commercial Charging Sites. This initiative not only propels us towards achieving our climate action goals but also signifies a bold commitment to a cleaner, greener future for El Paso and beyond. We particularly wish to thank all of our community partners.

Interim City Manager Cary Westin said the project puts El Paso on the right track toward achieving its Climate Action Plan,

This project is an important step in line with the City’s Climate Action Plan, ensuring that electric vehicle infrastructure is accessible to historically disadvantaged communities. The charging stations are strategically located to promote sustainable transportation, reducing carbon emissions consistent with the City’s environmental goals and the Climate Action Plan scope of work recently approved by the City Council.

Vice President of Sustainability and Energy Solutions at El Paso Electric said they were happy to contribute with their expertise and resources,

We are thrilled to contribute our expertise, and resources to the City of El Paso, the County of El Paso, the University of Texas at El Paso, and other stakeholders, to make the El Paso EV Charging Infrastructure Program a reality. This significant grant award from the Department of Transportation marks a crucial milestone in our collective commitment to advancing sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions in our community. Electric vehicles are key to reducing our collective environmental impact, and this initiative aligns perfectly with our vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future for our region.

Andrea Hutchins, president and CEO of the El Paso Chamber thanked those who made the grant possible and lauded the city's future as a leader in sustainability;

We are incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful for the support from Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and other key stakeholders. This grant is a game-changer for El Paso, positioning us as a leader in sustainable transportation in the Southwest.