Oklahoma is a step closer to receiving millions of dollars to create an electric vehicle charging network in the state.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation completed its first update of Oklahoma’s Electric Infrastructure Deployment Plan as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
The EV Plan is posted to ODOT’s website at Oklahoma.gov/evok.html and is available to review and provide comments through July 21, 2023.
Under the NEVI program, Oklahoma will be receiving $66 million over the course of 5 years to improve and expand its statewide network of electric vehicle charging stations. The funds from the NEVI program must first be applied to installing charging stations along the Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC) within Oklahoma’s Interstates and highways.
The funding for the first year is $22.9 million to start to build charging stations along the Oklahoma Interstates. Once these AFC charging stations have been evaluated and are operational, the remaining NEVI funds will become discretionary.
Sites eligible for NEVI funding must be no more than 50 miles apart from preexisting or planned sites in designated corridors, within 1-mile driving distance of an interchange (exit), have four charging stations with simultaneous charging at 150kW each, have 24/7/365 accessibility and have broadband or cellular capability.
The Plan Update documents progress toward constructing charging station locations, refinements to the requirements and identifies communities and stakeholder groups who have been contacted or will be contacted as part of the planned outreach and engagement activities.
Stakeholders and community members can provide input on the Plan and how these discretionary funds should be allocated. To leave comments: https://tinyurl.com/EVOKPLAN.
Source: ODOT release