Texas may soon see hundreds of electric car charging stations across the state due to a state plan recently approved by the Federal Highway Administration on Tuesday.
The state of Texas will use up to $408 million of federal taxpayer funds from the infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden last year to install these charging stations, according to the Texas Tribune.
The $408 million is the most any state has spent on building charging stations, with California coming in second with more than $384 million.
Every state, including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, will build electric vehicle charging stations.
The plan is for more than 50 stations to be built in the first year along Texas interstate highways between major cities such as Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Other proposed stations include areas such as the Rio Grande Valley and Panhandle.
The state Department of Transportation intends to expand these charge stations into rural areas within the next two to five years, with at least one electric vehicle charger in each of the 254 counties of Texas.
Rep. Colin Allred suggested it was a “huge step forward” in a statement.
But Gov. Greg Abbot has warned against state agencies accepting any funds from federal climate programs prior to the announcement because the funds could “hinder or needlessly constrain the state.” He further cautioned that accepting those funds could cause the state to be forced to implement policies that could directly contradict an existing state policy or law.
Questions remain, however, over the effectiveness and utility of electric vehicles. Studies have suggested that electric cars might be far from the “zero emission” boon proponents have claimed. Concerns remain about how electric-powered automobiles will fair in natural disasters that cause widespread outages.
And yet our bought and paid for politicians (sorry for the redundancy) still block being able to buy the number one selling Electric Vehicle in the world, MANUFACTURED IN A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR FACTORY BUILT IN TEXAS.
To quote a famous wabbit hunting cartoon character, “Something scwewy is going on here!”
Which car are you talking about? I mean, if you’re going to make such an accusation, you can’t just leave out the name!
Ummm… I am not “making an accusation”. I am stating fact.
Unless you are just trolling, there is no way you are not aware that it is pretty general knowledge around the world that Tesla has built and continues to expand its automobile manufacturing plant East of Austin in the Del Valle area. Tesla ‘s COPRPORATE HEADWUARTERS move there last year. Tesla has built SPACEX , the rocket construction and launch facility near Corpus Christi with test facilities near McGregor, TX. It also has based The Boring Company near Austin.
If you are unaware of this, perhaps you might do a little searching.
Thousands of jobs, tons of money for the state, yet you have to jump through hoops to buy a car if you live in Texas. I know, I have bought three.
OBTW Tesla builds automobiles in Fremont, CA, in SHanghai, China, and in Germany. Tesla also has factories in Nevada and New York State which build accessories, batteries and solar electric products.
Wonder what happened to my reply to this question?
Again…
I make no “accusations”. I speak of FACT! Do a little research!
If you have been living under a rock somewhere Wets of Terlingua, you will know I speak of the TESLA factory in Austin, now producing Electric Vehicles and batteries for same. Tesla Corporate Headquarters is now there, moved from The People’s State of California. And there is also Tesla owned SpaceX, The Boring Company and Starlink.
Cost– No mention made of the cost & time needed to do this Charging.
The latest superchargers can top up an electric car in mere minutes just like a gas car at a pump. Electric cars have come a long way on this problem of the past. Plus, since you can also top up at home, it can be much cheaper than gas…just another appliance on your electric bill. It’s only impractical for long drives because we lack enough superchargers out there on the highways, which this project will to improve upon.
Do a little research. Charging a Tesla at a Tesla Supercharger is seldom more than 20 minutes. In fact, on my trips the average charge time is 16 minutes. Barely enough time to have a bio break, perhaps buy a coffee or a cold drink and get back to the car.
I spend about one quarter to one third of the cost of refueling with petroleum products. The vast majority of my recharging happens at home while I sleep. On the road, I am rarely at a charger more than 15 minutes, about the time it takes to take a whiz and stretch my legs. No DVT for me!
I still have my ’91 4 cyclinder stick shift Ford Ranger that hit 80/85 on a straightaway and will continue driving it past all these electric charging facilities.
You DO, however, stop periodically and fill the fuel tank, don’t you? What are you paying per mile to fill up the gas, and keep all the other fluids topped off or changed periodically?
EVs are not perfect, nor are they suitable to everyone’s needs. And the Ranger isn’t the only vehicle that will eventually get up to 80/85 mph, no matter what kind of fuel. OBTW, how long does it TAKE you to get to -say – 60 mph?
There is no need to put your snoot in the air. It is disingenuous.
Not that it really matters, but how long does it take to get to 80 or 85? Can you do it in – oh, say – 5 seconds? I venerate my ’71 Karmann Ghia Convertible with the Porsche 90 and blower. And don’t need to stop at recharging, either. It, like your Ranger is and antique and is treated with respect.
But I don’t take it on cross country trips. I do that in one of the Teslas..