The city of Phoenix is the recipient of two federal grants to address infrastructure needs. Provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, grants totaling over $16 million will provide additional electric vehicle charging stations and upgrades to a walking and cycling path along the Grand Canalscape.
$15 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation will go toward the city’s “Electrify Phoenix” project, which will help fund charging stations in city parks, neighborhoods and other places.
The city also received a planning grant to upgrade a walking and cycling path connecting Alhambra, Encanto and Maryvale along the Grand Canalscape.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego says officials want to meet specific goals in the future.
“We have a vision to have a significant commitment to electric vehicles, 280,000 EVs by 2030. We want to make sure that electric vehicles are available to all of our residents, including those who don't have a garage or who can't afford home charging," she said.
She says the grants reflect the city’s sustainability goals.
“Electric vehicles are also really important because we have some challenges with air quality. And cleaner tailpipe emissions that are associated with electric vehicles are huge for reducing some of the small challenges we have," she said.
Gallego said it could take up to two years to implement the grants.
