Bill Overview
Title: Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Transportation to establish the Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program to award grants on a competitive basis for projects to construct, install, or improve existing wireless charging infrastructure and technology for electric vehicles.
Sponsors: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]
Target Audience
Population: Electric vehicle owners, potential electric vehicle buyers, and entities involved in the electric vehicle ecosystem
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The primary beneficiaries of the legislation are electric vehicle (EV) owners who will be able to use wireless charging stations.
- The secondary beneficiaries include automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that produce electric vehicles with wireless charging compatibility.
- People who are considering purchasing electric vehicles may be influenced by improved infrastructure and thus indirectly impacted.
- Additional stakeholders include businesses and service providers involved in the creation, installation, and maintenance of the wireless charging infrastructure.
- Urban developers and municipal services may see changes in infrastructure planning and development, affecting city residents and employees in those areas.
Reasoning
- We start with understanding that the primary direct impact is on current and future EV owners who will benefit from improved access to wireless charging infrastructure.
- This involves both current EV owners (approximately 2.1 million) and potential buyers (estimated 5 million within a few years) whose decision to purchase may be influenced by the policy.
- Considerations also include indirect impacts on industries involved in building and maintaining infrastructure (manufacturers, installation companies, etc.).
- Policy funds need to prioritize projects where EV adoption can be maximized, particularly in urban areas and corridors with high traffic and lack of charging infrastructure.
- Evaluation of the policy impact on a diverse range of individuals accounting for demographics, geographic factors, and personal perspectives on environmental policies is crucial.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm really excited about the prospect of more wireless charging options.
- Living in an apartment makes it hard to charge overnight, so public options are key for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Construction Manager (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm on the fence about buying an EV; more charging options would definitely tip the scales.
- My area is expanding and I hope this program helps keep up with the infrastructure needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Urban Planner (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased wireless charging is great for urban planning and reduces barriers to public EV adoption.
- This can transform how cities utilize space and reduce street-level clutter from cables and stations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Electrician (Denver, CO)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program would mean more business opportunities for those like me who install EV infrastructure.
- I’m not directly benefiting from EV use, but the business potential is significant.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Automotive Engineer (Detroit, MI)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Wireless charging is a natural evolution for EV tech, and grants like this accelerate industry progress.
- It's an exciting time to be in the automotive industry with such forward-thinking policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Real Estate Developer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a developer, city-wide infrastructure improvements help shape more cohesive and appealing urban projects.
- I'd like to see better integrated technologies with our developments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Barista (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that seeing more infrastructure will push people towards more sustainable choices.
- I'm passionate about sustainability, and these steps are in the right direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Logistics Manager (Columbus, OH)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Wireless charging options could influence our decisions to convert more of our fleet to electric.
- It's about reducing hassle and downtime which this infrastructure directly addresses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Architect (Portland, OR)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The integration of wireless EV charging could streamline designs for public space usages.
- I'd like to see more of such tech embedded seamlessly into our environments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being retired means I drive casually, but EV charging convenience would greatly enhance my experience.
- Infrastructure improvements are not just for now, but for how I might use them in the decades to come.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $160000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $190000000)
Year 3: $170000000 (Low: $140000000, High: $200000000)
Year 5: $190000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $220000000)
Year 10: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The grant program supports the national objective to increase EV adoption by alleviating one of its main barriers: charging infrastructure.
- Advanced wireless charging can increase the range and convenience for electric vehicle users, making EVs more competitive against traditional vehicles.
- The potential need for subsequent investments in complementary infrastructure, like energy grid enhancements, could be a barrier.
- Technological challenges in wireless charging efficiency and effectiveness need to be addressed for widespread adoption.