The Biden Administration has once again denied Tesla’s request for federal funding to support its proposed electric vehicle (EV) semi-truck charging corridor along the West Coast. This marks the second time Tesla, in partnership with California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District, has been excluded from the Department of Transportation’s funding allocations under the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Tesla’s ambitious plan involves constructing a nine-stop charging network spanning from Fremont, California, to Laredo, Texas, aimed at facilitating the adoption of electric semi-trucks. Despite this vision, the project has yet to secure federal backing, even as $636 million was awarded to 49 other applicants in the latest funding round.
As the Biden Administration continues to allocate funding from the $2.5 billion CFI program, speculation grows that Tesla may find more favorable support under President Donald Trump’s leadership, given his positive relationship with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. With Trump set to take office in a week, Tesla’s efforts to expand EV infrastructure may gain new momentum.
