The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) recently submitted the state’s Plan for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment as part of its application to the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.

NEVI, which was enacted by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) last year, will provide dedicated funding to states to strategically deploy electrical vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and create an interconnected network that supports data collection, access, and reliability. Washington is eligible for $71 million in NEVI funding over the next five years and will contribute a 20 percent non-federal match of nearly $18 million. To receive the funding, the state had until August 1 to submit a NEVI plan, an outline for how it intends to spend the dollars.

As expected, the money comes with strings attached. According to the program requirements, the state’s plan must include:

• A minimum of four fast chargers per site;
• Power capability of no less than 600 kW per site;
• 50 miles between sites along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) within one mile of the highway; and
• The formation of an interagency Electric Vehicle Coordination Council.

The requirements support the program’s goals of building out AFCs across the country and constructing a nationwide network of 500,000 EV chargers.

According to the state’s plan, Washington will identify investments in fast charging infrastructure along the state’s existing AFCs, beginning with interstates. It will prioritize completing I-5 and I-90 to the federally defined built out standards. Secondary priorities include I-82/I-182 and US 395 AFCs, followed by US 101 and US 195.

The Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordination Council (IEVCC), newly formed this year as part of the Move Ahead Washington transportation package (SB 5974), will undergo a prioritization process for AFCs and projects. The process will be informed by EV ownership, population, traffic data, and input from the public. The Council will approve AFC priorities, project selection, and requests for proposals. WSDOT intends to conduct a competitive bidding process for proposals for deploying charging infrastructure along entire corridors or segments of corridors, with contractors identifying and securing the specific host sites. Construction is expected to begin in 2023.

The vision of a statewide highway network for EV infrastructure with charging stations every 50 miles or less will eliminate “charging deserts” and remove a significant barrier to EV adoption, according to the plan. A statewide network of EV infrastructure may lower transportation costs and advance equity goals, as low-income households in rural areas pay a higher share of income on transportation costs. Furthermore, it would prepare the state for its goal that, beginning in 2030, all new private passenger vehicles be electric.

Find more information about Washington’s Plan for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment and learn about the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordination Council.