Tesla has once again been excluded from receiving funding for the construction of an electric vehicle (EV) charging corridor on the West Coast designed for EV semi-trucks. This marks the second time the Biden Administration has denied Tesla’s request for funding under the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program, a key component of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed in 2021.
Tesla, in collaboration with California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), had applied for funding to support the development of the corridor, which would span from Fremont, California, to Laredo, Texas. The proposed project included nine charging stops, with locations in cities such as Bakersfield, Compton, Phoenix, and Fort Stockton. Despite its ambitious plans, Tesla’s application was once again left out in the latest round of funding, with 49 other applicants collectively awarded $636 million from the Department of Transportation.
The Biden Administration’s refusal to fund Tesla’s initiative comes as part of the broader push to expand the U.S. electric vehicle charging infrastructure. However, it is unlikely that this will be the final funding round for the CFI program, as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $2.5 billion specifically for EV charging expansion. This suggests that Tesla could still secure future funding, particularly as the government seeks to accelerate EV adoption across the country.
With the upcoming transition to a new administration, speculation has arisen regarding how the incoming government under President-elect Donald Trump may approach Tesla’s funding requests. Given Musk’s influential relationship with the incoming leadership, some have suggested that the company could receive support in future funding rounds.
Source: TechCrunch
