- Trump administration is taking aim at EV chargers.
- It wants to significantly increase US parts content.
- Rule would only apply to federally funded chargers.
The Trump administration has found a new way to hamper electric vehicles as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is eyeing an expanded “Buy America public interest waiver” for electric vehicle chargers. The proposal would increase the required domestic content from 55 percent to 100 percent.
Needless to say, that’s a tall order and would likely require significant changes to supply chains. The move would also likely drive up costs, while limiting options.
More: Trump Administration Rolls Out Updated EV Charger Program
While there are obvious drawbacks, the government pointed to several benefits as they suggested the change would “strengthen domestic manufacturing, generate new American jobs, make U.S. businesses more competitive, and address potential national security concerns.”
They went on to say the administration believes manufacturers have the capacity to produce chargers in America with high domestic content.
Security Concerns In Focus
The Federal Highway Administration added the change would “protect Americans from foreign-made EV charger components that use technology with cybersecurity vulnerabilities.” Speaking of which, there have been growing concerns about vulnerabilities in American infrastructure.
Last year, the FHA warned everything from traffic signs to cameras and weather stations could be equipped with hidden cellular radios installed in batteries or inverters. The fear is these could be used for surveillance or conducting a targeted outage during the outbreak of hostilities.
What Happens Next?
The proposal hasn’t been finalized and the requirement would only apply to federally funded EV charger projects. For now, it appears there will be a comment period before the government makes its final determination.
In a statement, Secretary Duffy said “We’re ensuring that if Congress wants to see these chargers built, we put America First. Doing so will unleash American manufacturing, protect our national security, and prevent taxpayer dollars from subsidizing our foreign adversaries.”
