According to the report, the total number of public EV charging ports between 2021 and the first quarter of 2025 nearly tripled, from 75,000 to 208,000. (Southworks/Adobe Stock)

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By Laura Hatch

Oct 14, 2025


Clean transportation projects in California and across the country are paying off, according to a new report.

The research firm Atlas Public Policy analyzed the benefits of the Biden era Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The report cited California’s Port of Oakland, which is updating its aging equipment and reducing air pollution with a $322 million grant through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports program.

Matt Davis, chief public engagement officer for the Port of Oakland, said the money will fund zero-emissions cargo handling machinery and electric trucks for cargo deliveries.

“This provides local benefits through reduction of pollutants but it also introduces a high degree of technical modernization and reliability,” Davis explained. “Because some of these pieces of equipment just have a lot less moving parts, frankly, that don’t require as much maintenance.”

Davis pointed out neighboring states will also benefit as the port reduces its greenhouse gas emissions.

Tina Hodges, senior policy analyst for Atlas, pointed to the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The report showed by the end of last year, nearly 60% of the nation’s busiest highway corridors had fast-charging stations for electric vehicles every 50 miles or more, up from 38% in 2020.

Hodges said it is just one example of the upsides of investments.

“We found large benefits with cleaner air, new manufacturing jobs and transportation benefits, affordable ways to get around,” Hodges outlined.

The Trump administration paused the program earlier this year, asking states asked to update and resubmit their plans for EV infrastructure by September.

The report noted funding for some programs is in doubt, with Congress rescinding more than $2.7 billion this year; money which had been appropriated but not yet committed to a contract. Hodges hopes lawmakers will see the value in what has happened with federal dollars.

“This is a key moment for Congress to decide whether they’ll continue to fund these clean transportation programs, or stop the momentum,” Hodges emphasized.