UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. — Millions of dollars are being awarded to cities to keep electric vehicles rolling. It's all part of the "charging and fueling infrastructure" program. Believe it or not, University City currently has no electric chargers, which is part of the reason why climate experts say the funding for the infrastructure is so necessary.
Heather Navarro is the director with the Midwest Climate Collaborative, which has 75 members that represent local governments, nonprofits, higher education institutions— including Washington University— and businesses all working for a carbon, neutral climate region.
"When we ask people, if they're interested in an electric vehicle, many times, they say yes. Then we say, well, why haven't you purchased one?" Navarro said.
According to Navarro, many people are interested in having an electric vehicle but express concerns over where to plug in and the affordability of charging.
"One of the top answers is 'I don't know where I would charge it,' especially if you don't have your own garage— if you rely on public street parking," Navarro said.
Navarro said federal officials launched a federal initiative called 'Justice40' which aims to make 40% of infrastructure benefit disadvantaged communities.
"That's why it's so important that this infrastructure is being built out in places like University City, where there aren't any chargers right now. They're also making sure this infrastructure is making it into rural areas as well," Navarro said.
University City officials tell 5 On Your Side, their $500,000 grant came from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration to install up to 32 public EV charging ports along Delmar Boulevard.
The major roadway is a historically disadvantaged area that helps to connect residents and visitors to the St. Louis metro area.
"This money is aimed at overcoming those barriers and making sure that there's equitable access to this new technology which is so critical," Navarro said
University City officials said they were still in the early stages of accepting the grant and are awaiting more details about the program and when the chargers will be installed.
"As these vehicles become more and more affordable, more and more people are going to want to be able to charge, and we don't want that infrastructure to only be in those neighborhoods where people can afford Teslas, for example," Navarro said.
There is a total of $521.19 million in grant funding to 51 applicants including $2 million going to Kansas City, Missouri.