FHWA issued guidance in February 2022 for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which provides federal funds for the strategic deployment of an electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The program provides up to $7.5 billion to make electric vehicle chargers accessible for public use by establishing a nationwide interconnected network across the U.S., located primarily along alternative fuel corridors.
Alternative fuel corridors are federally designated routes on major highways that allow for inter-city, regional and national travel using lower-emission vehicles. Iowa currently has four alternative fuel corridors: Interstates 80, 380, 29, and 35.
National Electric Vehicles Infrastructure -funded Electric Vehicles Plans and charging infrastructure must:
- Be open to public and commercial fleet operators
- Use funds for electric vehicle charging stations along designated corridors
- Connect to the electric grid and be spaced no more than 50 miles apart and less than one mile from Interstates and highway corridors
- Be near restrooms, small businesses, and other amenities
- Address needs for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in rural corridors and under-served or disadvantaged communities
- Provide long-term operation and maintenance
- Include existing electric vehicle charging infrastructure programs and incentives
- Consider public-private or private investment partnerships
- Allow flexibility for future upgrades based on power levels and charging speeds
- Adhere to Joint Office of Energy and Transportation standards and requirements
- Consider consumer protection, cyber-security, domestic manufacturing, emergency evacuation planning, environmental permitting, resilience, and terrain-related issues
- Must be submitted to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation by August 1, 2022, to avoid forfeiture of funds