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The Biden administration on Wednesday approved more than two-thirds of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure plans submitted by states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico ahead of schedule.

Thirty-five of the 52 EV infrastructure deployment plans submitted by states are now approved as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program. NEVI was created and funded by the $1 trillion infrastructure law enacted in November.

The program makes $5 billion available over the next five years to help states achieve Biden’s goal of 500,000 EV charging stations across the U.S. by 2030.

States with plans now approved can gain access to more than $900 million in funding in 2022-23 to build EV chargers across roughly 53,000 miles of U.S. highway, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

States had until Aug. 1 to submit EV infrastructure deployment plans to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, created by the U.S. Energy and Transportation departments in December to assist with planning and implementation of a national EV charging network, including distributing funds to states.

— Audrey LaForest

What you need to know

EV charging issues deter renters, condo dwellers from electric purchases: A 2022 J.D. Power study found 34 percent of car shoppers lack access to home EV charging.

Tesla is sued by drivers over alleged false Autopilot, Full Self-Driving claims: Plaintiffs say Tesla wanted to ‘generate excitement’ about its vehicles, attract investments, boost sales, avoid bankruptcy.

Biden declares ‘Detroit is back’ as he touts EVs: The president said the Inflation Reduction Act will make new and used EVs more affordable.

Roundup

Magna tests self-driving delivery bot on Michigan roads as the supplier looks for new revenue streams in mobility.

Argo AI — backed by Ford and Volkswagen — will provide a set of self-driving technologies to companies for ride-hailing and delivery services.

China’s U.S. ambassador: Don’t cut China out of EV chain.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV loses eligibility for $7,500 federal EV incentive under new rules.

Mcity, the University of Michigan’s autonomous-vehicle test facility, was awarded $5 million from the National Science Foundation for virtual-reality expansion.

Brain food

Rivian added almost $3 billion to its market capitalization in a day, and all it took was a fairly bare-bones deal with a potential rival.

Last mile

Despite a bevy of recent problems in its home market of San Francisco, General Motors-backed Cruise said it will expand its robotaxi service to Phoenix and Austin, Texas.