The answer is yes, according to several recent updates as well as comments provided by the Joint Office.
Some quick background: The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which is administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and supported by the Joint Office, allocates $5 billion to deploy fast chargers along more than 79,000 miles of designated alternative fuel corridors (AFCs).
Here are questions and responses from the Joint Office (JO).
Are requests for funds coming in? Are they doing so at an adequate pace in terms of meeting goals for adoption?
JO: We are pleased with the NEVI program's progress. It represents a groundbreaking leap towards an electrified transportation future, made in America and accessible to all.
All 50 states plus Puerto Rico and D.C. have developed strategic and thoughtful EV deployment plans, and all 52 plans have been approved for years one and two.
In addition, all states have submitted updated plans for year three, and nearly all of those have been approved. In just two years, $2.4 billion has been made available to states from $5 billion in the program.
Can you provide some updates on where the US is at in terms of charging ports?
JO: Since President Biden took office, the number of publicly available charging ports has grown by 68%. There are more than 160,000 public EV chargers across the country, putting us on track to reach the administration’s goal of building a national network of 500,000 public EV charging ports by 2030.
What is the status regarding groundbreakings?
JO: Both Ohio and Pennsylvania have broken ground on stations, with more expected in the coming weeks.
Full station openings are set for the near future, and as of today, there are 11 NEVI funded contracts awarded. They Include: Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, and Rhode Island with a total of 27 solicitations out and 19 states on track to advance before year’s end.
Are “red” states in the US less likely to seek funds than “blue” states?
JO: No. This program passed with bipartisan support and all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and D.C. have developed strategic and thoughtful EV deployment plans with enthusiasm surrounding the funding from governors and private sector stakeholders alike.
What other trends are you observing in terms of NEVI funding/building?
JO: This program requires states to develop and submit plans, issue solicitations, and award contracts before breaking ground on new NEVI stations.
Anyone can put a charger in the ground, but that is not the goal of this program. The goal is to build a convenient, affordable, accessible, reliable and safe network of chargers.
Now we’re starting to see those efforts pay off with imminent station openings.
To Learn More
The Joint Office provides technical assistance to states that are creating and executing plans under the NEVI Formula Program through one-on-one meetings, public webinars, and coordination of resource materials. Contact technical assistance to learn more.
