Miles SmithRhode Island is poised to further expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure along public roadways after completing the first phase of a federal program designed to make EV usage a more viable option for drivers.
The Federal Highway Administration’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI) recently celebrated the state’s achievement as the first state in the nation to complete Phase 1 of the alternative fuel corridor along Interstate 95.
The NEVI Program was launched in Rhode Island in December 2023. The first phase involved installing four direct-current fast chargers that can power a vehicle up to 80% in 20-40 minutes.
The new Level 3 Direct Current Fast Chargers are at Park and Ride stations in Warwick and Hopkinton. Their installation brings the total number of charging stations located along the I-95 alternative fuel corridor in Rhode Island to eight.
Rhode Island is expected to launch the second phase of its NEVI program in the fall.
Phase 2 will be focused on addressing community-based public electric vehicle charging or other critical infrastructure needs. Goals include further expanding public access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure, particularly in historically disadvantaged communities.
“The completion of NEVI Phase 1 marks a milestone moment in Rhode Island’s commitment to a greener and more sustainable future,” Gov. Dan McKee said. “I’m grateful to the private and public partners who came together on this project that demonstrates our state’s continued commitment to enhancing our state’s EV charging infrastructure and the green economy.”
Through the NEVI program, a local host and an EV charging station-installer partner apply jointly and request funding for EV charging projects in specific locations. The site host owns, operates and maintains the charging equipment. The private sector installer is solely responsible for installing the equipment and ensuring it operates correctly.
The site host benefits from the acquisition of a profitable EV fueling station, which attracts customers and motorists, while the installer benefits from the value of the installation contract, the state said.
There are approximately 178,000 public charging stations located across the United States, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
There are eight stations in six states with 33 public charging ports in operation supported by NEVI funding, according to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. A total of 36 states have released at least their first round of solicitations, the office said. Of these states, 23 have issued conditional awards or put agreements in place for more than 550 charging station locations that will each have at least four fast charging ports.
Five states — Maine, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Ohio, and Kentucky — have released their second round of conditional awards, the office said.
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
