DOE wants 7,300 EV charging stations by 2028

The Department of Energy (DOE) is looking to further accelerate EV adoption as it outlines its goals to make charging and EV ownership more convenient for owners.

According to the agency, there are now 912 publicly accessible charging stations in the country. But for 2028, DOE has an ambitious goal of growing charging stations to 7,300, and they have outlined the steps toward achieving that.

DOE says they are introducing new regulatory initiatives, such as the Implementing Guidelines on Obligations of Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Providers and EVCS Requirements, Specifications, and Interconnectivity (IG-ORSI), which will be published this month.

This will give clear installation requirements for charging stations, particularly for Mode 4 chargers, which use direct current (DC) to deliver energy rapidly to EV batteries. The issuance will also include comprehensive safety standards designed to streamline the deployment process and encourage investment in charging infrastructure.

Likewise, the 2nd quarter of the year is when DOE will conduct public consultations regarding the placement of EV charging stations in existing gasoline stations, along with development plans to optimize grid capacity and prevent strain on the country’s power system.

"Our goal of deploying over 7,000 EV charging stations by 2028 is ambitious but achievable. By combining infrastructure development with public engagement, we can accelerate the transition to EVs and build a cleaner, more sustainable transportation sector," said Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick T. Aquino.