The U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy on Feb. 10 announced nearly $5 billion that will be made available under the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program established by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to build out a national electric vehicle charging network.
The program will provide nearly $5 billion over five years to help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along the Interstate Highway System.
The administration said in a memo that it expects most states to contract with private-sector entities to install and operate the stations. The federal money can support 80 percent of the cost of the stations.
NATSO members are advised that May 13 is the deadline for new corridor nominations.
State plans must be submitted to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation by August 1, 2022, and the Federal Highway Administration will approve eligible plans by September 30, 2022. States that submit plans before August 1, 2022, will be approved by FHWA on a rolling basis.
It should be noted that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) authorized a total of $7.5 authorized for EV charging infrastructure. An additional $2.5 billion will be awarded in the form of two additional competitive grants, including a $1.25 billion Corridor Charging Grant Program and a $1.25 billion Community Charging Grant Program.
In the Feb. 10 memo, the administration said that states should prioritize EV charging at “travel centers, food retailers, and convenience stores.” The administration reinforced recent definitive guidance issued by FHWA clarifying that state transportation departments may not implement or permit others to implement commercial services, including EV charging stations, within the Interstate right-of-way. NATSO said in its statement that any reinterpretation of the longstanding law prohibiting commercial services, including EV chargers, at rest areas, would undermine the business case for private sector investment.
Today’s announcement, coupled with the Administration’s Feb. 9, 2022, meeting between the administration and the electric utilities, signal that the administration is willing to facilitate a partnership that benefits both sectors as well as consumers.
NATSO issued a joint statement with SIGMA to media applauding the Biden Administration for deploying funds under the electric vehicle formula program in a manner that directs states to contract with the private sector to install and operate electric vehicle charging.
NATSO has long advocated for lawmakers and regulators to harness the existing network of off-highway refueling locations, which represent the most efficient means of advancing electric charging in the marketplace.
This includes working with the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to ensure that NATSO member locations can work with state and local agencies to ensure that their alternative fuel locations are incorporated into those corridors, including through through the National Highway Charging Collaborative. The FHWA has previously highlighted the National Highway Charging Collaborative as part of its Alternative Fuel Corridors Best Practices.
DOT Press Announcement Feb. 10, 2022
National Electric Vehicle Formula Program Guidance
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