The General Services Administration (GSA) is set to remove electric chargers from all federal properties nationwide, citing that the hundreds of chargers and 8,000 plugs are “not mission critical.” This move comes as part of President Trump’s efforts to roll back green policies enacted by the previous administration.
In a significant reversal, the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act funding for public chargers across the country has been eliminated. The GSA had received $975 million to upgrade federal buildings with “emerging and sustainable technologies,” including electric charging stations.
Elon Musk, President Trump’s right-hand man, is likely behind this effort. Despite his past support for green energy initiatives, Musk has shifted his focus towards AI robotics and cutting costs. Tesla, now an AI-focused company, no longer seems to prioritize selling cars.
The GSA will cancel network contracts before shutting off the chargers, which are seen as non-essential. Reports have shown that many federal building chargers are outdated and slow, with employees paying for charging services. The move aims to reduce costs but may also limit access to electric charging facilities on federal property.
This policy shift is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to cut green energy subsidies and tax credits. China’s rapid electrification efforts have made the US lag behind in this area.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/u-s-government-removing-ev-chargers-from-all-federal-buildings-because-they-are-not-mission-critical-2000566987