Few local governments in Central Florida applied for federal funds to install EV chargers
In Florida, Orlando Sentinel reported that only a few Central Florida governments have applied for the funds that the US Government is offering to US communities to install charging stations in public places. The $2.5 billion in federal grant money is part of the Biden administration’s ambitious goal to combat global warming by pushing alternatives to fossil fuel consumption through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the report stated. But Seminole County opted not to apply for the federal cash this year. County officials noted that Seminole currently already has several public EV charging stations at the county’s Boombah Sports Complex and Public Safety Complex, both in Sanford. Meanwhile, Orange County and the city of Orlando also did not apply for the funding, called the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant (CFI). However, spokespeople for both governments pointed out that they did send letters of support for the Orlando Utilities Commission’s grant application. In June, OUC applied for $70 million to build charging hubs along State Road 528 in east Orlando and one near the city’s Packing District. The cities of Winter Park and Oviedo also applied for the grants, as city officials say they’ve seen an increase in EVs, the report added.
