FAQs & Resources

• 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.
• Iowa will remain unwavering in our support for varied fuel resources and associated infrastructure, including ethanol, biodiesel, renewable natural gas and electric.

As of June 2023, there are more than 12,800 electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles registered within Iowa. There is at least one in each county.

• Electric vehicles are continuing to grow in popularity in the U.S. -- sales of electric vehicles in the country jumped to a record high of more than 200,000 vehicles in the first quarter of 2022. Automakers are building more options and customers are fueling the demand for low- and no-emission vehicles.

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is joining other statewide partners in preparing a plan for developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state highway and interstate system. In addition to building upon guidance from prior transportation and electric vehicle planning efforts, this plan will meet 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requirements and will allow Iowa DOT to become eligible to receive millions of dollars in federal funds that support electric vehicle infrastructure development in the next five years.
 

View the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan's vision and goals.

This plan will build from previous statewide efforts, including the Iowa DOT 2022 State Transportation Plan and Iowa EDA’s 2019 report, Charging Forward: Iowa’s Opportunities for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Support. Additionally, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program is available for all 50 states, and Iowa’s plan will be in alignment with guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

28 sites across the state have been awarded NEVI funding. View the full list. More than $16.8 million in NEVI funding will be matched with $4.2 million in private funds.

Iowa DOT performed a competitive selection process as outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) published in December 2023. Applications were scored based on location to Alternative Fuel Corridors and priority zones; history of hosting EV charging equipment; a cost proposal; and technical attributes of the proposed site. The NOFO can be downloaded here; additionally, Addendum 1, Addendum 2, Addendum 3, Addendum 4, Addendum 5, and Addendum 6 can all be downloaded by clicking on the file you wish to view.

80 applications were received in March 2024. 28 sites were awarded.

That has not been determined yet. To keep up to date with application and funding opportunities, please sign up for the email list or email iowa.evplan@iowadot.us.

• The NEVI rule states that a charging network must be fully built out (no more than 50 miles between sites) along AFCs before funding can be used to support EV chargers in other locations. Iowa DOT intends to prioritize completing the full build out of the AFCs in future NOFOs.
• Sites not on the Alternative Fuel Corridors include Interstate 80, 35, 29 and 380.

That is to be determined. Sign up for our email list to receive updates, or send a comment to iowa.evplan@iowadot.us to share your thoughts on this issue.

That is to be determined. Iowa will receive more than $51 million in federal NEVI funds. So far, $16.8 million has been awarded. Iowa DOT intends to maximize the number of charging sites that can be developed with this funding. However, the costs of sites can vary widely due to location, available utilities and other factors.

Iowa DOT will be releasing a survey in the coming months to receive input on Iowa’s NEVI program. To keep up to date with planning, application and funding opportunities, please sign up for the email list or email iowa.evplan@iowadot.us

Federal regulations prohibit most commercial activities at rest areas.

View the full listing of the regulation here.

Complete the online form.

Contact us at iowa.evplan@iowadot.us.