U.S. DOT Releases NEVI Interim Final Guidance
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on August 11 released Interim Final Guidance on the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, which was paused earlier this year. The Interim Final Guidance adopts a more flexible, consumer-oriented approach to implementing the NEVI program and marks a constructive step toward addressing ongoing challenges associated with deploying EV charging infrastructure while also ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and effectively.
Among the proposals, the Interim Final Guidance adopts a request from NATSO and encourages the selection of charging locations where the charging station owners are also the site host to accelerate project delivery. FHWA said, “States should consider long term operation and maintenance of publicly available EV charging infrastructure to avoid stranded assets and protect the investment of public funds in that infrastructure. FHWA encourages the selection of charging locations where the charging station operator is also the site host (i.e., property owner). In the alternative, FHWA encourages the selection of locations where the charging station operator has a committed agreement with the site host to expedite project delivery.”
The Interim Final Guidance also provides states with flexibility to determine the appropriate distance between stations along alternative fuel corridors. Previously states were required to ensure that EV charging stations were situated 50 miles apart.
Additional proposals minimize the content in state plans to statutory and regulatory requirements; simplifies the state plan approval process; aligns community engagement with regulatory requirements and reduces consultation requirements to advance projects; minimizes requirements for states to consider electric grid integration and renewable energy; eliminates requirements for states to address consumer protections, emergency evacuation plans, environmental siting, resilience and terrain considerations.
States have 30 days to submit their updated plans to FHWA.
NATSO will submit comments on the Interim of Final Guidance.
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