Electric Vehicle (EV) Plan

Iowa is a proud and nationally recognized leader in renewable energy and biodiesel and ethanol production. Our state has made a significant investment in renewable fuel infrastructure. State leaders, local communities, private companies, and utilities are making solid progress in adding electric vehicle infrastructure to our diverse fuel mix.

Many drivers are looking for low or no-emission vehicles and manufacturers are responding by introducing a number of new vehicles. With the cost of some electric vehicles now coming close to that of gasoline-powered models, more people are looking to electric vehicles as a viable transportation option.

More than 200,000 electric vehicles were sold in the United States in the first quarter of 2022. As of June 2023, approximately 12,800 EVs were registered in Iowa.

Iowa is a transportation crossroads, with major interstates dissecting our state. As more travelers use electric vehicles for both intra- and interstate travel, it is crucial to have sufficient charging infrastructure to meet demand. The development of this infrastructure will help us remain competitive, reduce potential future emissions, and spur economic growth.

While investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure is important to our future, our transportation system must continue to support all types of vehicles and their fuel needs. We will remain unwavering in our support for varied fuel resources and associated infrastructure, including ethanol, biodiesel, renewable natural gas, and electric.

With an uptick in drivers choosing electric vehicles,  Iowa has developed a plan to support the needs of those drivers.

Our Electric Vehicle Deployment Plan is part of a broader effort to create a national electric vehicle charging network along major transportation corridors. Development of the plan was funded through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Iowa’s plan was submitted to the federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation for review and was approved in September 2022. Read the full plan. (22.78 MB) .pdf

Other statewide partners are working with us on the implementation of the plan and many details remain to be worked out. One of the activities you may be interested in is a funding opportunity for electric charging stations. Updates will be posted to this web page.

If you’re interested in following these developments, please sign up for plan emails to receive information on future plan deployment updates and timelines.