Infrastructure Bill Provides EV Charging Funding Opportunities for Truckstop and Travel Plaza Operators

Lawmakers are taking steps to advance electric vehicle technology, and the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill has allotted funds to install EV charging infrastructure. The new legislation directs state and local governments that receive money from the Department of Transportation to partner with industry stake-holders, including truckstop and travel plaza operators.
More
Infrastructure Bill Provides EV Charging Funding Opportunities for Truckstop and Travel Plaza Operators
  • By NATSO
  • February 16, 2022
 

Lawmakers are taking steps to advance electric vehicle technology, and the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill has allotted funds to install EV charging infrastructure. The new legislation directs state and local governments that receive money from the Department of Transportation to partner with industry stake-holders, including truckstop and travel plaza operators.

“It is a victory that this bill passed the way it did. There is a bucket of money that will be accessible to NATSO members,” said LeeAnn Goheen, director of government affairs for NATSO. “We are monitoring it very closely to see how the program is going to be structured.”

Goheen said NATSO has worked on this program for two to three years to ensure NATSO members have priority access to funding. “The language requires a partnership with private entities near the interstate that offer restrooms, food and other services—and that's NATSO members,” she said.

NATSO members are happy to compete with others as long as the rules are the same and there is a level playing field, Goheen added.

“We’ll monitor the programs to make sure our members have access to the funds,” Goheen said.

Although details are being finalized, there are steps NATSO members can take now to take advantage of funds once they’re available. Goheen recommends operators connect directly with their state department of transportation and key state officials as the money will first flow to the states, which will then distribute it.

“You have to let your state know that you want to participate,” Goheen said, adding that NATSO’s government affairs team can help operators connect them with the correct state representatives. “As the money is pushed out, there will be different applications and different ways to get it, but officials will know there is a travel center that wants to apply.”

Several operators are still working to understand the business case for an EV charger. “We understand that, but at the same time, there is one shot at this money, so we encourage our members to take a look at it. If 80 percent of the charger is going to be funded by the government, the business case gets easier,” Goheen said.

EV Charging Insights and Resources
Learn more about electric vehicle charging opportunities and resources with these quick links: 

Subscribe to Updates

NATSO provides a breadth of information created to strengthen travel plazas’ ability to meet the needs of the travelling public in an age of disruption. This includes knowledge filled blog posts, articles and publications. If you would like to receive a digest of blog post and articles directly in your inbox, please provide your name, email and the frequency of the updates you want to receive the email digest.

Related Articles