Congressman André Carson (IN-07) and Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Wednesday a $15 million grant for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Indy.
Recently, the Indiana Department of Transportation released their Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan, which was criticized by The Indiana Alliance for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Economic Opportunities.
“While the Alliance is pleased that INDOT plans to issue a Justice40 Draft Implementation Plan, we are disappointed that none of the Federal Highway Administration’s equity requirements were met for the present plan,” David Green, alliance member, said in a press release last month.
The revised project will prioritize underserved and disadvantaged communities which were previously missing.
“Throughout history, major American infrastructure projects — like the formation of our interstate highway system — have produced detrimental consequences to Black neighborhoods,” Carson said. “While some projects have provided a multitude of opportunities to more affluent neighborhoods, minority neighborhoods have been excluded from that progress and disconnected from opportunity.”
Carson first outlined these concerns in a 2022 letter and has since partnered with local organizations to advocate for a more equitable distribution of EV charging stations.
“EVs are the future of our nation’s infrastructure, and it’s critical that urban neighborhoods aren’t left behind in the long-term benefits of EVs: decreased neighborhood pollution, tax credits and cost-savings on fuel and maintenance,” Carson said.
One-third of Indianapolis’ greenhouse gas emissions comes from the transportation sector. The incorporation of more charging stations is essential to meeting Thrive Indianapolis’ goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
“There is no doubt that transportation infrastructure has, historically, placed undue burdens on minority communities in American cities,” Hogsett said. “Now, with this partnership and grant funding, we hope to shift the decision-making power to these communities most affected and take another important step toward righting the wrongs of our past.”
For more information about the grant program, visit fhwa.dot.gov.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
I would question how much these will be utilized before they are uninstalled.