The Federal Highway Administration has proposed a revision to its “Buy America” waiver that would require electric-vehicle chargers to use 100% domestically produced materials to qualify for federal funding.
The proposal would raise the current domestic content threshold from 55% to 100%. It would require nearly all charger components, including iron and steel, to be manufactured in U.S. facilities for projects seeking federal support. The agency framed the proposal as part of a broader effort to shift manufacturing activity to domestic supply chains.
The existing 55% requirement reflects prior waivers issued to accelerate charger deployment and avoid supply bottlenecks. Those waivers applied to chargers manufactured by July 1, 2024, with installation beginning by October 1, 2024.
If finalized, the updated waiver would affect projects funded through NEVI, a $5 billion federal initiative enacted in 2021 to support charging stations along US highways. The proposal would limit eligibility for those funds to chargers made almost entirely from US-produced materials.
Industry and renewable transportation organizations have raised concerns that current domestic manufacturing capacity does not support full production of key charger components at scale. These components include displays, transformers, charging cables, and circuit boards, which manufacturers often source globally.
The FHA has opened a 30-day public comment period on the proposed waiver update. The agency has not finalized the rule.