CASPER, Wyo. — A process to expand electric vehicle infrastructure along interstates in Wyoming is set to begin after the Federal Highway Administration approved the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s overall plan for use of about $24 million over the next five years.
While the FHWA approved Wyoming’s overall National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program plan, it denied most exception requests Wyoming sought from the rules of the program, WYDOT said. In some rural areas along interstates, WYDOT sought exceptions from requirements that electric vehicle charging stations be placed every 50 miles and no more than one mile from an exit.
However, the FWHA approved an exception from the 50-mile rule for a section of Interstate 90 between Gillette and Buffalo. Two other exceptions from the distance rules were granted for existing charging stations in Rawlins and Cheyenne, according to WYDOT.
Some of WYDOT’s exception requests also aimed to allow NEVI funding to support the build-out of some EV infrastructure on routes not located along interstates in order to promote tourism to places like Yellowstone National Park. However, these requests were denied. WYDOT will create annual NEVI plans and will have more opportunities to seek exceptions from the federal rules in the future, the agency said.
“The decision to make these exception requests was not made lightly, but was instead in response to public feedback, limited EV adoption rates, increasing EV range capabilities and the long distances between Wyoming’s population centers,” said Luke Reiner, Wyoming Department of Transportation director. “Wyoming will continue to work with the FHWA and other partners to try to find a common-sense solution for the denied exception requests to ensure the stations are economically viable and a good use of taxpayer resources.”
With the overall plan approved and Fiscal Year 2022 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for the program released, WYDOT will begin the process outlined in the plan to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the state.
No state dollars will be used to help build, maintain or operate NEVI program electric vehicle infrastructure, according to WYDOT. Rather, companies interested in building out the infrastructure along I-25, I-80 and I-90 will be able to submit bids and receive NEVI program dollars allocated to Wyoming to support construction, maintenance and operation of the stations.
The first step will be requesting proposals from companies to install charging stations in the towns of Pine Bluffs, Laramie, Wheatland, Douglas, Buffalo, Sheridan and Sundance, according to WYDOT.
NEVI program rules require charging stations be built out along the entire I-25, I-80 and I-90 corridors first. If that gets completed and funding remains available, it could go toward adding EV infrastructure along other routes, according to WYDOT.
