Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 1892

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2026-02-25T09:06:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program Act of 2025 aims to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by funding wireless charging infrastructure. This technology charges EV batteries without physical plugs, using methods like inductive charging (transferring power through electromagnetic fields). The bill seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation (which accounts for 29% of U.S. emissions), address barriers like "range anxiety" (fear of running out of power), enhance economic competitiveness, create jobs, and improve accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities.

Key Provisions

• Program Establishment: The Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the Department of Energy, will create the Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program. It awards competitive grants to build, install, or improve wireless charging for EVs, including testing for performance, safety, electromagnetic compatibility (ensuring devices don't interfere with each other), interoperability (working across different systems), and development.
• Grant Focus Areas:
• Projects in locations like roads, parking lots, airports, and ports.
• Emphasis on charging light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, fleet vehicles (including federal fleets), and public transit.
• Secretary's Duties:
• Provide technical assistance to recipients.
• Publish an annual report to Congress detailing grant recipients, project progress, successes/failures, safety data, workforce and environmental impacts (e.g., fuel savings, emissions reductions), and recommendations for future policies.
• Eligibility and Selection:
• Eligible entities include state, local, Tribal, or territorial governments; metropolitan planning organizations; special districts with transportation roles; and transit agencies (or their partners).
• Prioritizes geographic diversity across the U.S.
• Grants can fund workforce training, community engagement (e.g., involving drivers and educating the public), and outreach.
• Funding Limits:
• Federal share covers up to 80% of project costs; maximum grant is $25 million per entity.
• Authorizes $250 million in appropriations, available until spent.
• Project Priorities:
• Non-disruptive designs compatible with existing infrastructure, benefiting low-income, underserved, or disadvantaged communities.
• Cost-effective, energy-efficient, and sustainable technologies for public use.
• Compatibility with all EV types and emerging universal standards.
• Safe for frequent use in various weather and road maintenance conditions.
• Emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in workforce and practices.
• Projects leveraging non-federal funds (e.g., public-private partnerships), with government support and public education plans.
• Focus on fleets (especially medium/heavy-duty) to cut fuel use and CO2 emissions, and on extending battery life.
• Requirements:
• Wage Standards: Recipients must ensure workers (including those hired by contractors) receive wages at least as high as local rates for similar work, per the Davis-Bacon Act (a law requiring fair wages on federal projects).
• Labor Neutrality: Recipients and contractors must remain neutral on union organizing, post notices of workers' rights under the National Labor Relations Act (which protects union activities), and inform new employees of these rights.
• Buy America: Projects must use U.S.-made materials and products (per federal transit law), with possible waivers for unavailability or cost reasons; this aims to build domestic supply chains and jobs.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new federal grant program specifically for wireless EV charging, which does not exist in current law. It builds on existing frameworks by incorporating requirements from the Davis-Bacon Act (for wages), National Labor Relations Act (for union rights), and Buy America provisions (from federal transportation laws like 49 U.S.C. § 5323(j), which prioritize U.S. manufacturing in transit projects). No direct amendments to prior laws are made, but it expands federal support for EV infrastructure beyond traditional plugged-in charging.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Energy (DOE) will administer the program, requiring new coordination, reporting, and oversight. This could strain resources but foster innovation in EV tech.
• Citizens: Improves EV accessibility by reducing charging hassles, especially for fleets, transit, and underserved areas; enhances air quality and cuts pollution near high-traffic zones. May lower long-term costs for EV owners by enabling smaller batteries and grid-friendly charging (spreading demand to avoid peaks).
• Economy and Environment: Boosts job creation in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance; supports domestic supply chains. Environmentally, it accelerates emission reductions and fuel savings, aiding climate goals without major grid upgrades.
• International Relations: Indirectly strengthens U.S. competitiveness in global EV markets by investing in advanced tech, potentially influencing trade in EV components.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Governments and Agencies: State, local, Tribal, and territorial entities; transit agencies; metropolitan planning organizations; DOT and DOE.
• Industry and Businesses: EV manufacturers, charging tech developers, fleet operators (e.g., trucking, public transit, federal fleets), and contractors involved in installation.
• Workers and Communities: Construction and maintenance workers (benefiting from wage protections and training); low-income, underserved, and disabled communities (gaining equitable EV access); drivers and the public (through education and reduced emissions).
• General Public: EV users nationwide, particularly in diverse geographic areas prioritized for grants.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces labor protections (Davis-Bacon and NLRB rights) and domestic manufacturing (Buy America), potentially facing challenges if waivers are denied or costs rise. Ensures compliance with environmental laws by tracking emissions impacts.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority to regulate interstate transportation and commerce; promotes equal protection through DEI and community engagement priorities, without raising clear constitutional issues.
• Political: Advances bipartisan climate and infrastructure goals (e.g., echoing the Inflation Reduction Act's EV focus) while emphasizing job creation and equity. The $250 million authorization may spark debates on federal spending priorities, but its focus on domestic jobs and emissions reductions could garner broad support amid EV market growth.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2025-03-05: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-05: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-05: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-05 — PDF (11 pages)