Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) have announced that 26 locations will receive federal grant awards to the tune of $14 million to build EV charging stations throughout the state.
The fast-charging stations, supported by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, will provide residents and visitors with access to adequate charging infrastructure options.
Wisconsin joined a multi-state lawsuit earlier this year to stop the Trump Administration from blocking over $60 million in NEVI Formula Program funding. The lawsuit came after months of Governor Evers urging the administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to release the funds that Wisconsin was promised to expand EV infrastructure across the state.
In June, a federal judge blocked the administration’s actions and allowed several EV infrastructure projects to move forward in Wisconsin with the help of NEVI funding.
“My administration and I have prioritized ensuring our state’s infrastructure meets the needs of the 21st Century since Day One because expanding our clean energy and electric vehicle infrastructure helps create jobs and bolster our economy, and it’s good for our planet, too,” said Gov. Evers, in a statement. “Thanks to our actions to get the Trump Administration to release this critical funding that they were illegally withholding, we are thrilled to see the NEVI program continue to support these goals and further move us toward the clean energy future Wisconsinites deserve.”
The first round awarded $22.4 million in federal funding for 52 projects; 11 are currently operational and 16 have been authorized for construction. Between the first two rounds of awards, WisDOT has been granted more than $36.4 million for a total of 78 projects. The first of these stations came online earlier this year at Kwik Trip stores in Ashland, Menomonie, and Chippewa Falls.
The new stations are set to be built along Wisconsin’s Alternative Fuel Corridor and will support the more than 37,000 EV drivers registered in the state, with site locations including fuel convenience stores, restaurants, lodging, and retail/grocery stores.
Read more here.