Where Are All the NEVI Chargers? America's $7.5 Billion EV Charging Program Struggles | Taha Abbasi

The $7.5 Billion Question

Taha Abbasi has been asking a question that many EV owners share: where are all the NEVI chargers? The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, signed into law with $7.5 billion in federal funding, was supposed to build a national network of 500,000 EV chargers. Two years in, the program has deployed a fraction of that target, and the reasons reveal deep structural problems in how America builds infrastructure.

As of early 2026, fewer than 200 NEVI-funded charging stations are operational — out of a planned network of tens of thousands. The pace is improving, but the gap between promise and delivery has frustrated EV advocates, automakers, and drivers alike.

Why NEVI Is So Slow

Taha Abbasi identifies several bottlenecks:

• Buy America requirements: All charger components must be manufactured in the US. When the program launched, virtually no compliant chargers existed. Manufacturers had to retool production lines, which takes years.
• State-by-state planning: Each state submits its own plan, creating 50 different procurement processes with varying timelines
• Site selection challenges: Chargers must be placed every 50 miles along Alternative Fuel Corridors, but finding willing property owners, securing grid connections, and obtaining permits in each location is time-consuming
• Grid upgrades: Many planned locations require expensive electrical grid upgrades before chargers can be installed — adding months or years to timelines
• Contractor shortages: The specialized electrical contractors needed to install DC fast chargers are in short supply

The Contrast with Tesla

While NEVI struggles, Tesla has continued expanding its Supercharger network efficiently. The contrast is stark and instructive. Tesla controls the entire process — site selection, permitting, installation, and maintenance — through a single organization. NEVI distributes responsibility across federal agencies, state DOTs, contractors, utilities, and property owners.

As Taha Abbasi sees it, Tesla’s Supercharger expansion proves that rapid charger deployment is possible. The problem isn’t technical — it’s bureaucratic.

The Buy America Debate

The Buy America requirements have been the most controversial aspect of NEVI. Supporters argue they protect domestic manufacturing jobs. Critics, including Taha Abbasi, argue they’ve delayed charger deployment by years while EV drivers suffer from inadequate infrastructure. The recent threat of tightening the waiver to 100% domestic content would further slow deployment.

What Canada Can Teach Us

Canada’s recent announcement of 8,000 new chargers for $84 million highlights the cost and speed advantage of less restrictive procurement. Canada is deploying chargers faster and cheaper per unit, partly because they prioritize speed of deployment over domestic content requirements.

The Path Forward

Taha Abbasi believes NEVI will eventually deliver meaningful infrastructure, but the current pace needs dramatic acceleration. Simplifying procurement, streamlining grid upgrade processes, and partnering with experienced operators like Tesla and ChargePoint could cut timelines significantly. EV adoption depends on charging confidence — and right now, federal infrastructure isn’t keeping up with consumer demand.

About the Author: Taha Abbasi is a technology executive, CTO, and applied frontier tech builder. Read more on Grokpedia | YouTube: The Brown Cowboy | tahaabbasi.com