FAQs

What is the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula program?

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, also known as NEVI, is a federal initiative created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November 2021. This program provides funding to states based on a formula that considers factors like population, vehicle miles traveled, and the number of registered EVs in the state. The primary goal is to expand the availability of EV charging infrastructure along public roads.

What is the NEVI strategy?

The NEVI program aims to strategically deploy EV charging stations, creating a connected network for data collection, accessibility, and reliability. States must focus on deploying EV charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs), which are highways linking major metropolitan areas and rural communities.

What are the NEVI requirements?

According to the Federal Register, states receiving NEVI funding must submit plans outlining how they intend to use the funds. These plans should emphasize the deployment of EV charging stations along AFCs and promote equitable access to charging infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas. Charging stations funded under NEVI must offer open-access payment methods, and be:

• Non-proprietary
• Publicly available
• Accessible to authorized commercial vehicle operators from multiple companies

What is a NEVI grant?

The NEVI program provides financial support to states to fund EV charging infrastructure projects. The initiative distributes grants based on a formula determined by the FHWA, ensuring that each state receives an amount proportional to its needs and circumstances. These grants are crucial for implementing charging infrastructure projects.

The NEVI Formula Program has several restrictions on the deployment of EV charging stations. These restrictions ensure that states use NEVI grants to deploy a network of EV charging stations that is accessible, reliable, and equitable.

What are some restrictions concerning EV charging stations?

Some of the key restrictions for NEVI charging stations include:

• Location: States must place NEVI charging stations along designated AFCs and within one mile of a freeway exit or highway roadway.
• Accessibility: NEVI charging stations must be publicly accessible and available to authorized commercial motor vehicle operators from more than one company
• Cost: States and their partners must only spend NEVI funding on installing DC fast-charging stations with a minimum of four 150 kW combined Charging System (CCS) connectors and a total station power of 600 kW.

Where can the NEVI Formula Program funds be spent?

States spend NEVI Formula Program funds on the acquisition, installation, and network connection of EV charging stations to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability. The state and its partners are also permitted to use resources for proper operation, maintenance of EV charging stations, and long-term EV charging station data sharing.

What construction costs are eligible for reimbursement under the NEVI Formula program?

All construction costs, as defined under 23 U.S.C. 101(a)(4), are eligible for reimbursement. This includes mounting hardware, site preparation costs, and signage and wayfinding devices.

Are repairs, upgrades, or replacement of existing EV stations eligible costs?

Yes, repairs, upgrades, and replacement of existing EV stations are eligible costs under the NEVI Formula program. However, the existing EV stations should be along a designated AFC or other high-priority location.

What should we know about NEVI EV planning?

The program requires states and their partners to submit plans to the federal government outlining how they intend to use NEVI funding. The plans must include a focus on deploying EV charging stations along designated AFCs (highways that connect major metropolitan areas and rural communities).

When must plans be submitted to the Joint Office?

States must submit their NEVI plans to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation by August 1st of each year. The Joint Office then reviews the plans and provides feedback to the states. Once the Joint Office has approved a state’s plan, the state begins deploying NEVI charging stations.

Where can I learn about NEVI funding by state?

There are a few places to learn about NEVI funding by state:

• FHWA website: The FHWA has a dedicated page for the NEVI Formula Program, which includes a breakdown of funding by state for each year of the program.
• Joint Office of Energy and Transportation website: The Joint Office also has a page for the NEVI Formula Program, which includes a link to a dashboard that shows the status of NEVI plans and deployments in each state.
• Your state’s department of transportation website: Many state departments of transportation have pages dedicated to the NEVI Formula Program.