Five awardees are on track to receive a combined $12.1 million in federal funding to build and operate electric vehicle charging stations at 14 locations along highways in Washington state.
The state Department of Transportation announced the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program grants on January 29, after moves by the Trump administration and legal wrangling delayed the money’s release.
According to Tri-Cities Business News, the chargers will be installed along Interstate 90 and U.S. routes 97, 195 and 395.
Recipients of the funding include Seattle-based startup Electric Era, Energy Northwest, which is a consortium of public utility districts and municipalities, EvGateway, EVgo and Tesla. Electric Era is set to receive about $4.2 million, the largest portion of the funding announced January 29. EVgo would receive the least, $650,531, for a project in the Colville area.
“These projects fill key gaps in the state’s highway EV charging network and will make electric vehicle travel even more convenient,” said Julie Meredith, Washington state Secretary of Transportation. “We’re pleased to invest these federal funds with companies that will now build, operate and maintain these charging stations.”
Washington and 13 other states sued in response to the Trump administration’s attempts to withhold the funding, which was provided under a 2021 federal infrastructure law signed by former President Joe Biden.
U.S. District Court Judge Tana Lin issued a preliminary ruling last June ordering the administration to unfreeze the money. Lin made a final ruling in favor of the states this month.
In total, the state is slated to receive $71 million through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, and the state transportation department expects to award funding to more projects.
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