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Biden speaks at Detroit Auto Show, announces $900 million for EV infrastructure

Biden speaks at Detroit Auto Show on Sept. 14
Biden speaks at Detroit Auto Show on Sept. 14 21:19

(CBS DETROIT) - President Joe Biden made a visit in Detroit on Wednesday for the auto show to discuss the future of electric vehicles.

Officials confirmed last week that Biden would visit the city on the first day of the annual event, which will run through Sept. 25. 

The president announced approval of the first $900 million in infrastructure money to build EV chargers across 53,000 miles of the national highway system in 35 states.

"The great American road trip is going to be fully electrified," Biden said.

He also highlighted the law's funding supporting infrastructure projects in Detroit and across Michigan.

"When you see these big projects in your home towns," Biden said, "I want you to feel the way I feel: Pride. Pride in what we can do when we do it together."

The president credited the United Auto Workers and other unions with supporting him in his 2020 bid for the White House. He highlighted how his administration has worked to promote union contracts for big projects, calling union workers the "most skilled" in the nation.

"The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class," Biden said.

The Detroit Auto Show kicked off on Sept. 14 for the first time since 2019. This year featured indoor and outdoor events as well as reveals from automakers including Jeep and Chevrolet on Wednesday.

For more information on the auto show, visit naias.com.

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